Head of National Diabetes Management and Research Center - Ghana, Dr. Yacoba Atiase, is set to release a book titled ‘Let’s Talk Diabetes’ this month.  

The renowned diabetologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has brought to light, the crucial height of importance in educating Ghanaians on diabetes and its related matters. The launch of ‘Let’s Talk Diabetes’ comes off this Saturday, February 18 in Accra.

Dr. Atiase has told Joy FM that some of the reasons behind writing the much-anticipated reference guide, ‘Let’s Talk Diabetes’. “Everybody is at risk of diabetes, which has reached an epidemic proportion, and the way to handle any disease that is of epidemic proportion is by education”, she explained.

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how the human body turns food into energy. In 2022, the World Diabetes Day was themed, ‘Education to Protect Tomorrow’, stressing on the need to strengthen access to quality education on diabetes for both patients, caregivers and society in general.

Over the years, many have lost their lives as a result of ignorance. However, Dr. Atiase tells us, patients with diabetes must know and understand the disease to stand a better chance of managing and controlling it. The rising number of diabetic cases necessitate its urgent control, and the experienced medical practitioner believes one of the most effective ways of slowing down the epidemic is by educating the people.

“For example, during Covid, everybody knew. Even a 2-year old knew that if someone had caught a cold, they probably had Covid so you don’t go too close. We all knew we had to wear a mask, and maintain social distancing. That’s how to slow down a disease”, Dr. Atiase further explained.

Dr. Atiase’s book, ‘Let’s Talk Diabetes’, is inspired by her many years of experience in dealing with diabetic patients. It is a handy book packed with first-hand information needed by all diabetic patients, discussing diabetes, its complications and management. However, she believes the general public (non-diabetic patients) also need to be educated on the chronic disease, in order to keep them on their guards.

“Even if you don’t have diabetes, it’s a good time to know about it, so that in case you start getting symptoms, you identify it immediately and seek help. It’s important that even people who do not have diabetes grab a copy of this book so that it can prepare them for any eventualities down the road”, she stated.

The launch of ‘Let’s Talk Diabetes’ book takes place on Saturday, February 18, and will be available for purchase after its launch.

About the Author

Dr Yacoba Atiase is a consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School and the head of the National Diabetes Management and Research Center, all in Accra, Ghana. A highly sought-after speaker in diabetes conferences locally and internationally, she is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians and holds an MSc in Diabetology from the Cardiff University. Dr. Atiase is passionate about diabetes education and envisages comprehensive diabetes care for all patients, a passion that has led to the writing of this book.