Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE on Friday joined the global community in commemorating World Diabetes Day 2025, observed under the theme “Diabetes and Well-being.”
The Ministry of Health and Child Care, together with its partners — including the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), SolidarMed, UNESCO and the NCDI Poverty Network — hosted national activities aimed at raising awareness on diabetes prevention, early diagnosis, proper management and support systems, particularly in the workplace.
According to the World Diabetes Foundation (2025), an estimated 589 million people are currently living with diabetes worldwide, with 70 percent of them being of working age. This places a significant strain on productivity and economic growth, especially as up to half of all cases remain undiagnosed, increasing the risk of severe complications. Low- and middle-income countries such as Zimbabwe continue to carry the highest burden, accounting for three-quarters of the global diabetic population.
In response, Zimbabwe has intensified its diabetes management and prevention efforts through the Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions (PEN) and the PEN-Plus approach. These initiatives aim to decentralise diabetes and chronic care, bringing specialised services closer to communities.
Working with CHAI and SolidarMed, the Ministry has rolled out the PEN-Plus programme across Masvingo Province, covering Ndanga District Hospital, Mashoko Mission Hospital and Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
By June 2025, the programme had served more than 900 clients, including 332 people living with diabetes — 97 with Type 1 and 235 with Type 2 diabetes.
Health workers trained under the programme now offer comprehensive support, including guidance on medication adherence, nutrition, lifestyle adjustments and balancing treatment with work and family responsibilities.
Building on these gains, the Government this year launched the National Operational Plan for PEN-Plus, which outlines the expansion of diabetes services to six additional districts, which are: Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Matobo, Mutoko, Rushinga and Tsholotsho.
