Four in five Senegal diabetes patients unaware
Nearly four in five diabetic people in Senegal do not know they have the disease, according to Assad.
Nearly four out of five diabetic people in Senegal are unaware they have the disease, according to the Senegalese Association for Diabetes Support (Assad). This lack of awareness delays care and complicates the prevention of complications. Specialist Pr Abdoulaye Lèye raised this alert on November 4, 2026, ahead of World Diabetes Day.
Globally, Pr Abdoulaye Lèye estimates 600 million people live with diabetes, with 30 million in Africa. In Senegal, Ministry of Health surveys cited by the specialist indicate one in 24 adults has diabetes, leading to an estimated 1,150 adult deaths annually. The Ministry of Health's Director of Disease Occurrence, Dr. Mamadou Moustapha Diop, stated that 27 integrated diabetes care centers are operational, and 520 million FCfa has been allocated for insulin purchases.
Pr Abdoulaye Lèye advocates for early preventive interventions, including addressing risk factors before birth and managing weight and obesity, noting that 28.8% of the Senegalese population is overweight. He also stressed that preventing complications is far less expensive than treating them. Another support measure is expected in 2027.
Why it mattersThe large number of undiagnosed diabetes cases in Senegal means many people are not receiving care, increasing their risk of serious health complications.