For the African continent, raising awareness of the seriousness of diabetes is fundamental due to the considerable burden that diabetes exerts on often limited health resources. Rapid cultural and social changes, such as growing urbanization and the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles, are resulting in an increase in the numbers of people with and at risk of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes now constitutes more than 85 to 95% of all diabetes cases in developing countries and the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), often called “pre-diabetes” is more than twice that of diabetes in the African Region .

“We hope the Congress will influence African health authorities to prioritize the needs of people with diabetes, assist in the education and empowerment, and deliver a fair and equitable service to them”, said the congress Local Organizing Committee chaired by Professor François Bonnici, former Head of the Division of Diabetic Medicine of the University of Cape Town.

The Local Organizing Committee is constituted by members of three important diabetes societies in South Africa: SEMDSA (Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa) representing the professional organization, DSA (Diabetes South Africa) a society for the people affected by or concerned with the condition, and DESSA (Diabetes Education Society of South Africa) aimed at specialist healthcare workers.

Professor Sir George Alberti, former President of IDF and Chair of the Congress Organizing Committee added: “For the global diabetes community, the 19th World Diabetes Congress will present an opportunity to discuss the latest scientific advances in the field, to share knowledge, experience and ideas and to exchange practical information on diabetes care, advocacy and awareness.”

IDF World Diabetes Congresses are held every three years and have two primary goals. First, to present the latest research in the field of diabetes worldwide and second, to provide programme sessions aimed at helping IDF member associations to develop strategies necessary to prevent diabetes and to offer optimum healthcare and education for people with the condition.

In addition, a complete stream of the programme will be dedicated to ‘Diabetes in Africa’. This stream will give the opportunity to present the audience with the valuable work undertaken in various African countries. Finally, the “Association Village”, an exhibition dedicated to the 185 Member Associations of IDF, will represent an ideal forum for the societies to showcase their national projects and exchange knowledge.