March 23rd, 2026 - Diabetes Crisis Grows Across Africa as Cases Go Undiagnosed and Untreated

Before sunrise in northern Cameroon, patients are already lined up outside a small diabetes clinic, some having waited overnight for care. Inside, Dr. Paulette Djeugoue, the only diabetes specialist for thousands of miles, prepares for another long day treating patients who have traveled from across the region, and even neighboring countries, in search of help.

Despite the crowds, Dr. Djeugoue knows she is only reaching a fraction of those affected. In Cameroon, an estimated 75 percent of people with diabetes are unaware they have the disease, especially in rural and underserved areas. This reflects a broader shift across Africa, where noncommunicable diseases like diabetes are now as deadly as infectious diseases such as malaria.

Health systems in the region have long been designed to fight infectious illnesses, making progress against diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. But diabetes has remained underdiagnosed and underfunded, leaving millions without proper care. Even when patients are diagnosed, many cannot afford treatment, with medications and insulin often costing more than what families earn in a month.

A newer and less understood form of the disease, known as Type 5 diabetes, is adding to the challenge. Recently recognized by global health authorities, it affects undernourished individuals and behaves differently from more familiar forms of diabetes. This has complicated diagnosis and treatment, as many patients do not fit the typical profile doctors are trained to recognize.

The consequences can be severe. Patients often go years without proper diagnosis, only seeking care when complications such as vision loss, kidney damage, or severe infections emerge. Even then, treatment is inconsistent, as many patients are forced to ration medication or abandon care altogether due to cost.

Efforts are now underway to improve access to care. Cameroon is expanding screening programs and equipping community health workers with basic diagnostic tools to identify cases earlier. Doctors like Dr. Djeugoue are also training local providers and building networks to manage the growing number of patients.

While progress is being made, major challenges remain. Limited resources, high costs, and a lack of infrastructure continue to hinder treatment efforts. Still, for many patients, even small advances offer hope — a chance to manage the disease and avoid life-threatening complications in a system that is only beginning to catch up.

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