Diabetes cost in sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction It is estimated that by the year 2025, there will be 300 million people with diabetes in the world with the bulk of the burden being in developing countries [1]. Diabetes mellitus is emerging as a major health problem in subSaharan Africa [1]. The economic burden of 1–195 diabetes mellitus on the patient, family, community and nation is enormous. However, medical innovations that can delay the onset and slow the progression of diabetes have tremendous potential to mitigate the associated clinical and cost repercussions. In sub-Saharan Africa, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is an unparalleled catastrophe and, coupled with the resurgence of tuberculosis and the unfinished agenda of communicable diseases, including malaria and childhood infectious diseases, most countries in the region have run a high health deficit. Health spending in these countries is insufficient to address the health challenges they face.