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Isles register 6,000 diabetic cases
2006-09-08 09:23:11
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
More people in Zanzibar are readily going for diabetic screening, the Health and Social Welfare Minister, Sultani Mohamed Mugheiry, said yesterday.
At the same time, Dr Faiza Kassim Suleiman , who is in charge of the diabetic clinic at the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, said Zanzibar has about 6,000 registered diabetic patients in both Unguja and Pemba.
The Minister said hospitals have reported increased cases of diabetic infections in the past few years and attributed the tide to increased awareness of the health problem.
“More awareness about the disease has motivated people in Zanzibar to get diabetic screening,” the minister told Diabetic Association of Zanzibar (DAZ) leaders at his office.
The minister said both Unguja and Pemba have facilities and essential medicines needed by diabetics.
However, Dr Suleiman said there was a shortage of some essential drugs.
“We have good stock of insulin medicine, but there is a shortage of some other drugs,” Dr Suleiman said.
The minister promised to look into the matter.
At Mnazi Mmoja Hospital 2,000 patients are registered, Dr Suleiman said, adding that patients have been receiving good care including treatment and health education.
“In the regional diabetic meetings, held in Nairobi- Kenya , Zanzibar health education system has been ranked the best,” she said.
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