Imagine a region where millions of people are silently battling a chronic disease, yet only a fraction receive the care they desperately need. This is the stark reality in South-East Asia, where a shocking new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that only one in three adults with diabetes is receiving treatment. Released on World Diabetes Day 2025, this report sheds light on a growing crisis that demands our urgent attention.
But here's where it gets even more alarming: even among those receiving treatment, less than 15% achieve adequate blood glucose control. This means millions are at risk of devastating complications like heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and blindness. The region, home to over 279 million adults with diabetes – a staggering one-third of the global burden – faces a perfect storm of undiagnosed, untreated, and poorly managed cases.
“Diabetes, if left unchecked, can wreak havoc on the body,” warns Dr. Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge at WHO South-East Asia. “Late diagnosis and poor management can lead to life-threatening complications.”
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme, ‘Diabetes across life stages,’ emphasizes the need for a cradle-to-grave approach. It highlights the importance of integrated care, supportive environments, and policies that empower individuals to manage their diabetes at every stage of life.
And this is the part most people miss: diabetes isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. Children with diabetes require tailored care at home and school to ensure they grow, learn, and thrive. Pregnant women with diabetes need specialized support to safeguard both their health and their baby’s future. Older adults, too, require ongoing guidance and resources to manage their condition effectively and prevent complications.
While type 1 diabetes, often diagnosed in childhood, remains incurable, it can be effectively managed. Type 2 diabetes, however, is largely preventable through lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Even for those already diagnosed, a healthy lifestyle combined with medication can significantly reduce the risk of complications.
The region is taking steps in the right direction. In 2023, the 11 member states adopted the ‘SEAHEARTS’ resolution, aiming to strengthen diabetes prevention and control through the WHO HEARTS technical package in primary healthcare. The 2024 ‘Colombo Call for Action’ further outlined practical measures to reduce diabetes risks and ensure access to quality treatment, including affordable insulin and blood glucose monitoring devices.
Progress is being made, with most member states implementing evidence-based management protocols and providing essential medications. Over 33 million people with diabetes are now receiving protocol-based care in public health facilities across the region.
But is it enough? While these initiatives are commendable, the sheer scale of the problem demands bolder action and greater investment. Dr. Boehme calls upon governments, NGOs, healthcare professionals, and communities to redouble their efforts, emphasizing the need for equitable, age-responsive approaches to diabetes care.
The 2023 ICMR-INDIAB study paints a sobering picture for India, revealing an estimated 101 million people with diabetes, 136 million prediabetic individuals, and a staggering 315 million with hypertension. These numbers underscore the urgency of the situation and the need for collective action.
Is South-East Asia doing enough to tackle its diabetes crisis? What more can be done to ensure everyone, regardless of age or background, has access to the care they need? Let’s continue this crucial conversation in the comments below.
