Diabetes and COVID-19: A Double Whammy in Kenya and Tanzania

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health issue. It is a long-term condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. It requires constant management and care. The COVID-19 pandemic made things much harder for people with type 2 diabetes in Kenya and Tanzania. These two countries already had struggles with managing non-communicable diseases. The pandemic brought new challenges. These challenges included severe COVID-19 complications, disruptions in diabetes care, and increased social isolation. This was a tough time for many people. During the pandemic, both countries had different approaches to controlling COVID-19. Kenya had strict lockdowns and curfews. Tanzania, on the other hand, had less strict measures. Despite these differences, people with type 2 diabetes in both countries faced similar problems. They had trouble accessing diabetes consultations and treatment. They also had mental health struggles. These issues were made worse by problems that were already there before the pandemic. These included financial difficulties, higher food prices, and inflation of diabetes medicine and test kits. These challenges led to poor blood sugar control. People had to self-medicate and miss doses. This was not good for their health. One big problem was the closure of diabetes clinics in Dar es Salaam. This made it hard for people to get the care they needed. Business instability and financial difficulties also made it tough for people to follow their diabetes treatment plans. Health insurance challenges added to the stress. Higher food prices made it hard for people to eat the right foods for their diabetes. In Kenya, the price of diabetes medicine and test kits went up. This made it even harder for people to manage their condition. People with type 2 diabetes in Kenya and Tanzania faced similar challenges during the pandemic. They need better support in the future. This includes affordable health insurance, economic support, and psychosocial services. These things can help people with type 2 diabetes be more resilient. They can also improve the health and well-being of people with this condition. It is important for both countries to plan ahead. This way, they can be ready for future emergencies and ensure better care for people with type 2 diabetes. In the future, Kenya and Tanzania need to do better. They need to make sure people with type 2 diabetes get the care they need. This includes during emergencies. They also need to address the socio-structural challenges that make it hard for people to manage their diabetes. This way, they can improve the lives of people with type 2 diabetes in their countries.