Kampala — TWO hundred new cases of diabetes mellitus are registered every month in Uganda. The incidence is on the increase as two million people in Uganda are living with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin to meet its needs.

Speaking at the celebrations of World Diabetes Day on November 14 at Gulu Hospital, Dr. Stephen Malinga, the minister of health, said the increase in diabetes mellitus is a worldwide issue.

The theme of the workshop was: Coping with Diabetes and Hypertension in Northern Uganda.

Out of the people living with diabetes mellitus in the country, 2,000 are children and the youth.

He said the World Bank is giving over sh1b to Uganda, starting next year to improve healthcare services.

"Government should increase the salary of the health workers, build residential houses, buy medicine and improve laboratory services in all the hospitals," Malinga said.

"The Ministry of Health is planning a national survey to avoid duplication of activities. All the diabetic associations in the districts have to support the districts with coordination of programmes."

He said what is causing diabetes mellitus in northern Uganda, may be scientifically explained as stress caused by the 20-year insurgency.

He said the low social economic status contributes to the post-traumatic stress diabetes in the region.

Malinga said paying attention to the disease would prevent deaths.