Staff Reporter
A TOTAL of 6,844 diabetes cases were recorded across all age groups in Namibia during the 2024/2025 financial year, representing a slight decline compared with the previous year.
This was highlighted by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, during the recent commemoration of World Diabetes Day, observed under the theme “Diabetes Across Life Stages,” in Windhoek.
“In Namibia, nearly 7% of adults (around 90,000 people) are affected, highlighting the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. During the 2024/2025 financial year, a total of 6,844 diabetes cases were recorded across all age groups, with 6,345 among adults, 377 among children aged 5 to 17 years, and 122 among children under 5 years. This represents a slight decline compared with the 8,073 cases reported in 2023/2024, which included 5,950 adult, 646 adolescent, and 133 paediatric cases,” the minister said.
While there has been a slight decrease in the total number of diabetes cases, Luvindao expressed concern that Namibia is witnessing a growing number of cases among children and adolescents. She therefore emphasised the importance of ensuring an appropriate diet and lifestyle to prevent diabetes.
“I would therefore like to strongly emphasise the importance of an appropriate and healthy diet for children and adolescents. Parents should avoid sugary foods and snacks for children. We must teach children the importance of drinking water. Water is life! We must also encourage physical activity for children and adolescents in schools and at home to prevent obesity, which is a risk factor for diabetes. Diabetes is not just a health issue; it is a development issue that affects productivity, family well-being, and national prosperity,” Luvindao urged.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed
