Thousands found at risk of diabetes through voucher programme

Data gathered through the national voucher programme has identified thousands of people with elevated blood sugar, cholesterol and other risk factors for diabetes, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said, underscoring the country’s growing burden of chronic disease.
Speaking at a recent health launch, Dr. Anthony warned that many diabetics have progressed to kidney failure, prompting the ministry to introduce new medication aimed at delaying renal complications.
“One of the interventions that we’re introducing this year is a set of new medication that can help to delay the onset of this kidney failure for some of these patients,” the minister noted.
The Health Ministry is seeking to deepen partnerships with private providers as it expands screening initiatives and rolls out measures to prevent chronic illnesses from advancing to life-threatening stages.
Minister Anthony said the ministry is also considering expanding laboratory vouchers to include ultrasound services, pending consultations to agree on standardised pricing.
“We’re not against it. We just want to ensure that we can negotiate… a standardised price for it and then we would have the voucher,” he said.
To widen access to screening, the ministry will partner with faith-based organisations, workplaces and private sector entities to host outreach activities, encouraging churches, temples, ministries and companies to organise screening days for congregations and staff.
“If you have any innovative way of reaching out to people, then let’s do that,” the minister urged private providers.