Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Betty J on November 5, 2007 at 7:44pm

Although I don't live in Africa I am curious to know how preveland is Diabetes in Africa. Like you I have lived with this disease for 48 years and still counting. I have chatted with people from around the world but never Africa. I understand that some people in other countries don't have access to computers. For those countries I am curious what if any stats there are regarding Diabetes.
I find it interesting that you carry on missionary work and live with Diabetes, to that I say I applaude you! How do you manage your lows in such a warm climate? I don't know about you but in the summer months I have trouble with lows and have to adjust my basal rates.

Permalink Reply by Chuck on November 5, 2007 at 10:38pm

Betty,

If you do any google searches you will find that diabetes is not EPIDEMIC in Africa. Much is attributed to western foods and living. Here in Ghana diabetics go to the hospital daily just to get a blood sugar test, then return home. No one has blood meters except the hospitals, and even if the people had them they couldn't afford the strips. I am blessed to have some supplies, although my health insurance just dropped me so I am out of luck for supplies now. I usually just try and educate people the best I can when I meet them.

I treat lows mostly via an ever present Coke.

check my webpage www.teamheidenreich.org to see more about what we do.

God Bless,

Chuck

Permalink Reply by Chuck on November 5, 2007 at 10:42pm

I MEANT.. DIABETES IS NOW EPEDEMIC IN AFRICA!

Chuck

Permalink Reply by Betty J on November 6, 2007 at 2:10pm

I'm aware that Diabetes is a global epedemic. Living with Diabetes is no walk in the park. I'm sorry to hear that you are not covered by health insurance, kind of ironic isn't it. You're in a country that people with Diabetes and other chronic diseases have no health insurance.
I also educate others when I meet someone with Diabetes. Here in the states, at least in the east where I live Type 2s are not receiving the education that should be given. Once in a while I do meet people who are aware of self-management and are using it. I don't know what I can do to help those who live with Diabetes in Africa but if there is let me know.

Permalink Reply by Debbie on January 2, 2009 at 12:00pm

Hi, I have had diabetes for over 35 years. I have done some research on Africa in the area of DRC because I am a student at a university. I was wandering as well does Diabetes show up a lot in Africa? Not like they have enough problem just trying to get supplies to the civilians while all the war conflict that is going on in the Congo area. It terrible that you lost your insurance was it that you met your maximum allowed? just curious. Also, have you heard any good news in Congo about the dispute between Nkunda and Kabilia? We had a few resolutions that passed at the African Union and is being sent to Washington DC for approval.

Permalink Reply by Chuck on January 2, 2009 at 11:08pm

Dear Debbie,

Thanks for being in touch. I am in Ghana, W. Africa and we have our problems here, especially now with our elections, but not like Congo. We have churches there, and missionary friends who were recently visiting the churches there but I haven't been there personally. The AU needs to do more to solve its own problems and support it with it's own personal. That is just my opinion.

I lost my insurance because the missionary insurance policy was discontinued, and because it was an international policy there is no HIPPA so they could do that. I have one now, but without pre-exisiting. So, I have received donations from peoplel of strips & supplies & will continue to pray people will continue to do that..

Where do you go to university?

Thanks for your prayers & keep posted on our website www.teamheidenreich.org and/or let me know if you want me to mail you our newsletters. God Bless, Chuck

Permalink Reply by Spud on April 26, 2011 at 11:35pm

Hi Betty I was looking at the site on Africa and saw your question. I live in South Africa and of the 49 mill we have 1,3 mill diabetics. I am T2.

Permalink Reply by olu Oog on April 29, 2011 at 9:13am

I was diagnosed with Type 1 some 15 years ago. I lived in Lagos, Nigeria. Before i became diabetic, i had close to zero knowledge about the disease. When i was in elementary school- believe it or not, the taboo was that anyone with an unhealed sore must have stolen crops from neighbor’s farm. (Most people with untreated Type 1 end up with some sort of unhealed sore anyway). At 26, i went out of Africa to do a Masters degree in the UK. I came back and about a year after i came back i was diagnosed. It may have been due to my change of diet and lifestyle. I eat lots of Burgers while in the UK by the way.
I don’t know of any data, but i think if anything the number of Africans with diabetes is on the rise. Unfortunately majority are still ignorant about treatments. Even if they are aware of treatments, healthcare delivery system in most of Nigeria at least, is not capable of doing a good job taking care of diabetics. I remember when my wife will go from one end of town to another in search of Insulin for me. There was even an instance that my wife bought what we thought was insulin but alas! was actually a fake- I used it for at least 2 weeks, my BG was over 600 all that time!
My family and I eventually moved to the US 6 years ago, My A1c was if i remember over 12.
I am convinced that something terrible would have happened to me if i did not leave.
By the way I started a new group where Africans -in the Diaspora with diabetes can compare notes, find it here http://www.tudiabetes.org/group/africanthediaspora