A number of 104,749 persons were officially recorded as diabetics in Moldova in 2017. In 2016, the figure stood at  96,651, 428 of whom were children. As many as 400 people died from diabetes last year, as opposed to 410 a year before. The data were provided by the National Public Health Agency in connection with World Diabetes Day that is annually celebrated on November 14, IPN reports.

According to the Agency, one of two persons suffering from type 2 diabetes does not know about the disease, but early diagnosis and treatment are essential in preventing complications of diabetes and in improving the state of health. Specialists warn that the cost of insulin and daily monitoring in monotherapy can account for half of the incomes of a family and accessibility to diabetes medications become problematic.

The Agency noted that there were 415 million adult diabetes worldwide in 2015, but the figure rose to 425 million in 2017 and is expected to increase to about 629 million towards 2045. Some 77% of the grownups with diabetes live in poor and developing countries, most of these being aged between 40 and 59. Someone dies of diabetes every seven seconds. 21 million newborns suffer birth defects owing to gestational or pregestational diabetes.

Specialists warn that measures need to be taken to raise awareness of the impact of diabetes on the family and to strengthen the network of support for those who are affected. The role of the family in preventing diabetes and in educating on its effects should be promoted as mankind is facing an unprecedented diabetes epidemic.