.:: Diabetes Mauritius

"Putting people living with diabetes at the heart of health care services in Mauritius"

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Diabetes in Mauritius

Introduction

Mauritius has one of the highest rates of prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the world. Diabetes Mellitus is usually a hereditary condition. Broadly, there are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. The majority of people in Mauritius with diabetes have type 2 (about 99%). There is an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you are overweight and inactive, and a higher incidence in certain ethnic groups especially those of asian background. According to the latest survey done on adults above eighteen years old, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is nearly 20%. The reasons for this high rate of diabetes could be explained by a combination of different factors namely, the asian genetic background of the population and the rapid economic development the country has experienced during the mid-eighties.

This website is designed to help people with diabetes, their families and carers, the general public and Health Care Professionals.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is causing major public health problem since its prevalence increases with an aging population, rapid urbanization, increasing sedentary lifestyle, and the associated obesity epidemic that is occurring in our society.

Facts:

There are at least 120,000 diabetics in the country,

For every newly diagnosed diabetic, one remains undiagnosed;

Diabetes is responsible for a high rate of health complications, costing therefore a major burden to our economy;

At least 50-60% of those on kidney haemodialysis are type 2 diabetics;

It is the most common cause of blindness in the country;

At least 80% of all limb amputations done in the country are from diabetes;

More than 50% of diabetics die of ischaemic heart disease especially coronary heart disease.