As part of the Global Peace Women (GPW) 2023 enrichment program series focusing on health, GPW invited Aisha Bukar Ali to share insights and education on the illness of diabetes and its prevention and management.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces or when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose or blood sugar levels. When blood glucose levels are too high, it can cause severe damage to many organs and systems in the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also increase the risk of other diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and infections.
According to the World Health Organization, there were 422 million people with diabetes worldwide in 2014, and that number is expected to rise in the coming years. Diabetes is more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. In Nigeria, it is estimated that about 5 million people have diabetes, and many more are undiagnosed or at risk. Diabetes is also a significant cause of death and disability globally. In 2019, diabetes and kidney disease due to diabetes caused an estimated 2 million deaths.
The good news is that diabetes can be prevented, treated, and controlled with proper care and management. Aisha Bukar Ali from Nigeria is the founder of the Diabetes Awareness and Enlightenment Organization (DHEO). DHEO is a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness, provide education, and support people living with diabetes in Nigeria and beyond. For the past decade, the DHEO has been working to improve the quality of management for people with diabetes so that they may have better control of their condition and live full and active lives.
While participating in the third webinar of the Global Peace Women (GPW) enrichment program series to discuss the role of women and families in health on September 23, 2023, Aisha said:
“A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight, and avoiding tobacco use are some ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes can also live long and healthy lives by taking their medication as prescribed, monitoring their blood glucose levels regularly, and seeking medical attention when needed.”
Aisha also encouraged women to arm themselves with knowledge about diabetes, its care, management, and treatment since they are the primary caretakers in most homes. She also shared strategies that DHEO has adopted to place the family unit at the center of diabetes management, including:
1. Meal Planning – Meal planning is organizing what to eat over time, which is vital for a person with diabetes. The DHEO encourages families to eat together, even if that means altering everyone’s diet.
2. Weight Control – Excessive weight gain is detrimental to people living with diabetes. It can cause kidney failure, heart failure, and many other debilitating conditions. Weight loss and physical fitness are activities the family can do together.
3. Genetic Predisposition – There are genetic factors to consider with diabetes. For instance, when there is diabetes in the family, it increases the chances of the children developing the disease. The DHEO educates and makes people aware of several facets of the disease to help them create better lifestyle choices, which can slow down or terminate the development of diabetes in a person.
4. Advocacy Strategies – Family support is not limited to care and management. It also includes advocating for the well-being of the person living with diabetes. People with deep family ties to diabetes can also help to spread awareness to others.
The GPW approach of engaging women and families in health follows a framework that integrates strengthening families, uplifting women’s value & dignity, and advancing women's leadership to improve family and community health. It is based on the recognition that health is not only a biological phenomenon but also a social and cultural one, influenced by the context and conditions in which people live, work, and interact. Through our programs, we support evidence-based interventions to improve the health outcomes and quality of life of women and families. Read more about our work.
