Who we are
A network of innovators and professionals
Our philosophy
Diabetes Africa helps healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and decision-makers reach more people and make a greater impact fighting diabetes in Africa and around the world.
We find people, organisations and initiatives that are changing patients’ lives, in Africa and around the world. We connect healthcare professionals, start-ups, established businesses, research institutions, non-profit organisations, governments and collectively tackle diabetes and related diseases.
We share information and knowledge in engaging ways. With continuous upskilling and communications at the heart of our activities, we work to make Africa the place where innovation in diabetes diagnostic and treatment originates and is best shared.
The challenge
The prevalence of diabetes and associated chronic diseases in emerging countries, and particularly in Africa, is high, but the exact figures are largely unknown.
Estimates range from 5-20% across various groups and observational information point towards an upward trend, accelerated by urbanisation and the rise in living standards. Public infrastructure and healthcare expenditures are lagging behind, and the institutional focus on non-communicable diseases is only recent. The structure of healthcare, as well as local and cultural specificities are not always considered in discourses related to diabetes, even though they affect diagnosis and care.
Without leveraging energies more widely, across geographies and industries, the impact of diabetes will continue to wreck havoc on the economies of the continent.
How we work
Since our creation in 2019 we seek to identify and promote innovation and innovators by leveraging a network of professionals and experts active around the world. Our fast growing membership includes 1,500+ healthcare professionals and business executives. We welcome the contribution of champions and partners interested in giving a voice to diabetes innovators and supporting our activities.
The work programme of Diabetes Africa is reviewed by a Council of Advisers comprising sector specialists from Africa and the rest of the world. Its business function is overseen by external non-profit and management experts.
People
Launched in 2019, Diabetes Africa seeks to identify and promote innovation and innovators by leveraging a network of professionals and experts active around the world. Our fast growing membership includes 1,500+ healthcare professionals and business executives. We welcome the contribution of champions and partners interested in giving a voice to diabetes innovators and supporting our activities.
The work programme of Diabetes Africa is reviewed by a Council of Advisers comprising sector specialists from Africa and the rest of the world. Its business function is overseen by external non-profit and management experts.
Structure
Our work is organised around interest groups called faculties and chambers. Faculties exist to facilitate access to professional development resources that are specific to Africa. Chambers help put forward and implement policy recommendations and high-impact projects to address structural issues facing diabetes diagnosis and care.
Faculty /ˈfak(ə)lti/
noun. A pan-African home for people who are fighting diabetes in their personal or professional lives and want to improve their knowledge and skills.
Chamber /ˈtʃeɪmbə/
noun. A multidisciplinary think-tank that designs, implements and monitors projects and strategies to improve diabetes diagnosis and care in Africa.
Chambers
Chambers are designed to provide a platform to address Africa’s top diabetes challenges with a multidisciplinary, inclusive approach. Within a chamber, pro members can take part in projects that seek to identify and promote innovation.
Teamwork
Each chamber meets to identify key questions that its members will tackle through projects. Multidisciplinary teams of members and partners, including external experts, design and carry out the projects. Corporate and public champions can provide funding to support a project.
