United Nations Radio

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for more to be done to inform children and adults about the warning signs of diabetes, particularly in the developing world.~

In a message marking World Diabetes Day being observed today Friday, the 14th of November, the Secretary-General says "we must also ensure access to proper medical care", noting that "many children in the developing world die from diabetes because they do not have insulin."

The Secretary-General says Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, and both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can strike children at any age.

Noting that on World Diabetes Day, more than 800 buildings and landmark sites around the world are lighting blue circles as an expression of commitment to fight diabetes, Secretary-General Ban says "Let us each do our part to shine a light on the impact of this deadly disease, and to light the way toward improved health services and care."

WHO projects that without urgent action, deaths from diabetes will increase by more than 50 per cent in the next 10 years.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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