The Price of Diabetes: Yaa’s Daily Battle with Food, Pain and Rising Costs

For 32 years, Yaa Baduwaa (not her real name) served the country, looking forward to retirement and the opportunity to enjoy life after years of work. But in 2020, a hospital visit turned into a health crisis that changed how she ate, moved and lived.

“I have heard about it, but little did I know that I could become diabetic,” she said.

“Based on what I heard, it looked like something far removed from me. We usually heard that it was a sickness for the rich.”

Yaa’s experience reflects the difficulties many people living with diabetes face in Ghana, where the condition can bring changes to daily life and place a financial burden on patients and their families.

For her, diabetes is no longer just a health condition. It is a daily struggle with food, pain, rising costs and the loss of some of the simple pleasures she once enjoyed.

A diagnosis that changed her life

Shortly before June 2020, Yaa began feeling unwell and decided to visit the hospital. She expected the problem to be something that could be treated without much disruption to her life.

After undergoing several scans, she was taken to a room to recover. But her condition soon deteriorated, and she collapsed, losing consciousness.

“I woke up about a week later at the Regional Hospital [Sunyani Teaching Hospital],” she recalled.

When she regained consciousness, she learnt that she had suffered a diabetic coma associated with critically high blood sugar levels.

“They said my sugar level was very, very high, and my pressure, too, was very high,” she said.

The experience marked the beginning of a difficult journey. She had to adjust to living with a chronic condition that required regular monitoring and changes to her daily routine.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) defines diabetes as a long-term condition in which blood glucose levels rise because the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces effectively.

High blood pressure can occur alongside diabetes, increasing the risk of complications, but the two are separate conditions.

A growing public health concern

Diabetes has become a major public health concern in Ghana, reflecting a wider global increase in the number of people living with the condition.

The International Diabetes Federation estimated that 317,400 adults in Ghana were living with diabetes in 2024. The figures cited in this report also indicate that about78 per cent of adults with diabetes in Ghana remain undiagnosed, leaving many unaware of their condition until complications develop.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 6 per cent of Ghana’s adult population has diabetes, with the prevalence expected to rise in the coming years.

Rapid urbanisation, changes in diet and increasingly sedentary lifestyles have been identified as factors contributing to the growing burden of type 2 diabetes.

The Ghana Health Service has also reported that about 200,000 diabetes cases are recorded annually at health facilities across the country.

These figures point to the need for greater public awareness, regular screening and early diagnosis. People who are unaware that they have diabetes may miss opportunities to begin treatment and reduce their risk of serious complications.

For Yaa, the diagnosis came after her condition had become severe enough to leave her unconscious for days.

A toll on daily life

Living with diabetes has forced Yaa to make significant changes to her daily routine, particularly her diet and physical activity.

Before her diagnosis, she enjoyed traditional Ghanaian meals, including fufu, banku and yam. These foods were familiar parts of her diet, and changing her eating habits has not been easy.

“Growing up, the foods mostly available to us were fufu, banku and yam, so I am used to enjoying them,” she said.

“But now, I am advised to eat less of these because they are high in carbohydrates.”

She has had to reduce her intake of some of her favourite meals.

“These days, I have stopped eating fufu. I am not supposed to eat much of it,” she lamented.

“Eating has been very difficult. Now, I have to eat so much fruit and vegetables and wit that I am tired.”

The adjustment has been particularly difficult because food is closely tied to her culture and everyday life.

“As a pure Akan woman, my variety of food is limited to food within my area, so I don’t joke with my fufu. But now, I don’t enjoy it anymore. It has been taken away.”

Her experience shows how difficult it can be to change long-established eating habits after a diabetes diagnosis. Meals that once brought comfort and enjoyment have become a source of concern as she tries to follow the advice given by health professionals.

Managing diabetes does not necessarily mean eliminating all carbohydrate-rich foods. The amount consumed, portion sizes and how meals are balanced can affect blood glucose levels. However, Yaa says adjusting her diet has taken away some of the enjoyment she once found in eating.

Beyond food, diabetes has affected her physical abilities and overall quality of life.

Before her diagnosis, she enjoyed jogging and other physical activities. Now, pain in her knees makes walking difficult.

“At first, I used to go jogging, but now I can’t even go for a walk because my knees sometimes hurt,” she said.

“Anytime I walk, I feel pain. Because I am unable to exercise, I feel that my body is not what it used to be.”

Physical activity can help people manage blood glucose levels, but Yaa says the pain she experiences has made it difficult to maintain the routine she once enjoyed.

The condition has also affected her relationship with her husband.

“Even my relationship with my husband has become a problem,” she admitted. “At 62, I don’t complain much, but it is not the same as it used to be.”

The price of late diagnosis

Looking back, Yaa wishes she had known more about diabetes before her health deteriorated.

“I wish I had known more about diabetes earlier,” she said. “I think my love for carbonated drinks contributed to my diabetes.”

Limited awareness of diabetes and its risk factors can make early diagnosis difficult. Some people may not recognise the signs or may not seek screening until they develop serious health problems.

In communities where access to routine health checks and reliable health information is limited, people may remain undiagnosed for years.

When diabetes is not properly managed, it can lead to complications affecting the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and blood vessels. In severe cases, dangerously high blood sugar can lead to life-threatening emergencies.

The economic cost of diabetes

Beyond its physical and emotional effects, diabetes places a financial burden on patients and the healthcare system.

Managing the condition may require regular blood sugar monitoring, medication, medical consultations and follow-up appointments. For people with limited incomes, the cost can make it difficult to maintain consistent treatment.

It is estimated that the annual cost of managing diabetes in Ghana ranges from GH¢3,000 to GH¢13,000 per patient. The actual amount can vary depending on the patient’s condition, medication, testing needs and other healthcare expenses.

Globally, the IDF estimated that direct health expenditure related to diabetes exceeded US$1 trillion in 2024.

For Yaa, the financial demands are part of her everyday life.

“Every morning, I am supposed to check my sugar level and blood pressure,” she explained.

“The cost of these checks, along with medication, adds up.”

The expenses can become more difficult to meet when the condition affects a person’s ability to work or carry out daily activities. Patients who cannot afford regular monitoring or medication struggle to manage their condition, increasing their risk of complications and potentially leading to higher healthcare costs later.

The financial pressure can also affect other household needs, as money that could have been used for food, transport or family expenses is directed towards healthcare.

The growing burden of diabetes calls for greater attention to affordable testing, access to medication, patient education and long-term care.

Health facilities also need adequate resources and trained personnel to support people living with chronic conditions.

Coping with diabetes

Nana Ama Gyankoma Asirifi, the Bono Regional Health Promotion Officer of the Ghana Health Service, has urged the public to pay closer attention to their diet and lifestyle.

“Be particular about your lifestyle and limit carbohydrate intake. It is not necessarily about eating sugary food, but carbohydrates turn into glucose and enter your blood. Eat in moderation and not in excess,” she advised.

“What you take in should be the same as your activities,” she added.

For people living with diabetes, managing the condition may involve changes to food portions, physical activity, medication and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. The approach should be guided by qualified health professionals and tailored to each person’s needs.

The way forward

The rising burden of diabetes in Ghana calls for stronger public education, better access to screening and more affordable treatment.

Public health campaigns should help people understand the risk factors, recognise possible symptoms and appreciate the importance of regular health checks. Schools, workplaces and community centres can also play a role in promoting healthier eating habits and physical activity.

The government and health authorities need to strengthen healthcare services for people living with diabetes. This includes improving access to medicines and testing supplies, training healthcare workers and expanding services in rural communities.

Greater access to screening could help identify people who have diabetes but do not know it, while continued support for patients could reduce the risk of complications.

The cost of treatment also deserves attention. When patients struggle to afford medication and regular monitoring, managing the condition becomes more difficult. Making essential care more accessible could ease some of the financial pressure on individuals and families.

A daily struggle that goes beyond blood sugar

Since her diagnosis in 2020, Yaa has had to rethink the way she eats, moves and manages her finances. The fufu she once enjoyed, the jogging she used to do and the ease with which she carried out daily activities have all become reminders of how much her life has changed.

The cost of monitoring her blood sugar and blood pressure adds another challenge to a condition that already affects her physical well-being and relationships.

“I wish I had known more about diabetes earlier,” she said.

Her words echoes the importance of awareness and early diagnosis, but they also reveal the human cost of living with a condition that demands constant attention.

For Yaa, every meal requires thought, every walk can bring discomfort, and every health check comes with a cost. Her experience is a reminder that diabetes is not just a statistic in a public health report. It is a daily reality for people trying to protect their health while maintaining their dignity, independence and quality of life.

As Ghana works to address the growing burden of diabetes, Yaa’s story raises an important question: how much suffering and financial strain could be reduced through earlier diagnosis, better health education and more affordable care?

By Emmanuel K. Gyan