Inter-country Scientific Meeting 2026 in Moroni: Strengthening Cooperation to Fight Diabetes

 

Moroni, Union of the Comoros, April 12, 2026 – The NGO Santé Diabète is organizing an inter-country scientific meeting in Moroni, Union of the Comoros, from April 14 to 16, 2026, bringing together its institutional, technical, and scientific partners. This event aims to strengthen cooperation dynamics, foster the exchange of best practices, promote the pooling of solutions, and support the joint development of recommendations in the areas of public policy, training, care, and prevention.

Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Union of the Comoros, this meeting is supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the World Diabetes Foundation, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the NCD Policy Lab, Life for a Child, and the City of Grenoble.

Context & key figures

Diabetes is a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in West Africa and the Indian Ocean region. Rapid nutritional transition, increasing urbanization, the double burden of malnutrition, insufficient screening, limited access to specialized services, and the high cost of care all contribute to the continued rise of the disease and its complications.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, approximately 25 million adults were living with diabetes in Africa in 2024, a figure that could reach nearly 60 million by 2050, representing an increase of over 140%. The continent also has one of the highest rates of undiagnosed diabetes in the world: with nearly 3 out of 4 people living with diabetes remaining undiagnosed.

Despite this concerning trend, Africa remains the continent with the lowest per capita health investments, particularly for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes.

In this context, Santé Diabète has been committed for twenty-five years to improving the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diabetes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Union of the Comoros. This inter-country scientific meeting will provide an opportunity to strengthen South-South and North-South cooperation, foster the exchange of best practices, pool solutions, and jointly develop recommendations to consolidate national strategies for diabetes control and support the creation of actionable guidance in public policy, training, care, and prevention.

The diversity of contexts and experiences is a key lever for co-creating approaches that are adapted, effective, and sustainable.

Inter-country Scientific Meeting Program

The meeting will bring together around one hundred participants and will focus on:

  • Two days of scientific conferences (April 14 and 15), organized around seven panels:
    • Panel 1: National Policies for Diabetes Control
    • Panel 2: Specialized Degree Programs
    • Panel 3: Digitalization & Innovations in Diabetes
    • Panel 4: Decentralization of Diabetes Care
    • Panel 5: Type 1 Diabetes
    • Panel 6: Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors: Nutrition and Physical Activity
    • Panel 7: Strategic Role of Patient Associations & Patient Testimonials

 

  • Two technical workshops (April 16): For health professionals and Ministry of Health representatives: focused on implementing a hybrid interprofessional training on diabetic foot care and therapeutic education. For patient associations, Prevention Houses, and peer educators: focused on strengthening advocacy capacities.

 

You can find the full inter-country meeting program here (French only): Inter-country Meeting Program (April 14–16, 2026)

Message from the Director General of Santé Diabète

"The value of this meeting lies in the diversity of our experiences. By combining perspectives, sharing solutions, and strengthening partnerships, we generate sustainable responses to diabetes. By uniting our expertise, reinforcing our solidarities, and acting together, we help build health systems that are fairer, more accessible, and more effective." – Stéphane Besançon, Director General of Santé Diabète

Practical informations

The event will take place in person in Moroni, by invitation only. Coverage will be provided on Santé Diabète’s social media using the hashtag #InterPays2026.