About Africa Diabetes Alliance

At Africa Diabetes Alliance, we shine a bright light on diabetes in Africa to lend visibility and understanding so as to disarm it and end its reign of terror against the children of Africa that is aided by the mystery, fear and invisibility surrounding it. We are a patient led organisation seeking to change the status-quo by adding our voice and contribution to the complex problem that is diabetes in the developing world through patient education and psychosocial support.

Diabetes in Africa is frequently shrouded in mystery, secrecy and fear. We postulate that this is only because people do not understand it. It is well known that as human beings, we often fear things that we do not understand. Unfortunately, these things keep us in a mental prison yet we would love to live freely. This fear is made worse by the proliferation of false and misguided information out there about diabetes as well as the guilt many feel from believing that they brought the disease on themselves through carelessness or neglect.

All these things make patients vulnerable to neglecting their care and failing to adhere to management protocols. At Africa Diabetes Alliance, we want to educate, support, change attitudes and mind-sets to show people that they can successfully manage diabetes and that it cannot keep them from achieving their dreams and desires. We also celebrate great attitudes and milestones.

Like San Tzu wrote, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” In essence, you cannot beat an enemy you do not know”. Such is our battle with diabetes in Africa. Many of us have no idea what diabetes is, let alone what it means for our lives. Most of the challenges and developments simply surprise us and we are always ill-prepared for the bad news accompanying a diabetes diagnosis. Forewarned, is forearmed and with diabetes education, awareness creation, advocacy and psychosocial support, we shall definitely be better prepared for the war against diabetes.