Almost 7 percent of Moroccans aged over 20 suffer from diabetes

Some 1.5 million Moroccans, accounting for 6.6% of people aged over 20, are suffering from diabetes, said health minister, Thami El Khyari on Thursday.

The minister disclosed the figures during the opening of the 7th congress of the panafrican diabetes research group held in Casablanca.

The rate of diabetes prevalence among people aged above 50 years exceeds 10%, it was also announced. A budget of 823.2 million DH (around $ 74 million) will be earmarked in the four coming years for medical research.

The panafrican congress, to close this Saturday, is attended by specialists and researchers from Africa and Europe. It deals with diabetes in Africa in its epidemiological, clinical, socio-economic and therapeutic aspects.