A new study suggests that if type 2 diabetes cases continue to grow, sub-Saharan African countries could spend up to $59.3 million a year by 2030 on the treatment.
The report of the study, Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa launched on Thursday in London, suggests that diabetes—and its complications—could potentially reverse health gains seen in the region in recent years.
It would overwhelm health systems, crippling personal finances of patients as they continue to pay for their own healthcare.
According to the study, only one in two people with diabetes know they have the condition, and just one in 10 of them receive the drugs they need.
In 2015, diabetes cost the region’s economy $19.5 billion, which is equivalent to 1.2% of gross domestic product.
Countries in the region spend up to 5.5% of their GDP on health, with more than half the spending, around $10.8 billion, being spent on access to diabetes treatment while half the total cost was paid by patients.
The other economic costs come from loss in productivity; early deaths shaved $7.9 billion off the region’s economy; people leaving the workforce early cost $500 million; sick leaves took away $200m and lower productivity due to poor health cost $70m.
Lead author on the report and a professor at Harvard University, USA, Rifat Atun, said: “These estimates show the vast economic burden that diabetes places on sub-Saharan Africa, and should motivate policy makers to increase resources and efforts to overcome this looming health challenge.
She added that “Our figures illustrate the economic cost of inaction.”
“However, the wider cost of inaction is the risk of losing ground on some of the region’s biggest health achievements of the past few decades, as diabetes cases further increase and costs spiral. In its current state, sub-Saharan Africa is not at all prepared for the increasing burden of diabetes caused by rapid, ongoing societal transitions.”
