World Diabetes Day 2025 — Bridging the Gaps in Diabetes Care
Empowering Access to Diabetes Care for All
Every year on November 14th, the world comes together to raise awareness about diabetes — a condition affecting more than 500 million people globally. Despite advances in care, many people still face barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management.
While Rwanda has made great progress in strengthening non-communicable disease (NCD) care, early detection and continuous management remain key challenges:
Limited access to diagnostic equipment and medication in rural health centers.
Low public awareness leading to late diagnosis.
Lifestyle factors, including diet and physical inactivity, increase the risk
Limited capacity for treatment due to health workers often managing diabetes alongside multiple NCDs
Pictured: NCDs screening at Ruhuha, Bugesera
To address these challenges, Health Builders is working closely with the Ministry of Health, RBC, and partners such as PIH, and CARDIO4Rwanda to creating initiatives to improve training, community screening, and follow-up systems.
In contrast, high-income countries like the U.S. and Canada face other sides of the same issue:
Obesity and sedentary lifestyles continue to drive Type 2 diabetes rates.
Despite advanced treatment options, health inequalities persist — especially among low-income, Indigenous, and immigrant populations.
Access to affordable insulin and medications remains a serious concern, particularly in the U.S.
The fight against diabetes looks different across countries, but the goal remains the same: ensuring that everyone — regardless of income or location — can access quality diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and care.
As we mark World Diabetes Day 2025, let’s renew our commitment to raise awareness, promote healthy lifestyles, and advocate for stronger health systems — from Kigali to Toronto to New York.
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