Habib Jerbi, President of the Tunisian Society of General and Family Medicine, stressed that the treatment of chronic diabetes primarily depends on the patient’s acceptance of the disease upon diagnosis and their willingness to live with it while avoiding negligent management.
In a statement to TAP on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, celebrated yearly on November 14, Jerbi stressed the importance of embracing the condition post-diagnosis and committing to prescribed treatments and follow-ups.
He stated that many newly diagnosed diabetics often experience a state of “denial” and reject the diagnosis, leading to non-compliance with medical advice, failure to undergo required tests, and abandonment of medication, all of which worsen their health.
Effective treatment requires regular and precise adherence to medication, implementation of the treating physician’s recommendations, and clear communication of information by healthcare providers. Patients are also urged to undergo required tests, engage in physical activity, and follow a healthy diet to prevent severe complications affecting the body’s organs.
The Tunisian Society of General and Family Medicine remarked in a communiqué for World Diabetes Day that one in five Tunisians is affected by diabetes, including those unaware of their condition. It urged people to seek medical advice if experiencing symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, or recurrent bacterial infections and encouraged regular blood sugar checks, particularly for individuals aged 45 and above.
The association highlighted that the National Diabetes and Hypertension Care Program in 2023 provided medications to about 1,000 patients, supporting the national effort to prevent diabetes-related complications and participating in healthcare initiatives at national and regional levels.
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.
