Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia region bears a growing burden of diabetes, with over 279 million adults aged 18 years and above living with the condition. Among them, only around 68 million are receiving treatment, indicating a considerable gap in care. Despite global and regional commitments, including the WHO Global Diabetes Compact and SEAHEARTS, progress remains insufficient to achieve the 2030 global diabetes coverage targets. Recognizing the critical need for high-level commitment to mobilize resources, harmonize strategies and further strengthen efforts to prevent and control diabetes, member states in the region developed and adopted the Colombo Call to Action for strengthening diabetes prevention and control in the WHO South-East Asia region in November 2024 to accelerate progress towards the 2030 global diabetes coverage targets. The call to action sets out urgent and actionable priorities across the key asks of the WHO Global Diabetes Compact—treat, integrate, track, educate, innovate and unite. Key actions include improving access to insulin and diagnostics, integrating diabetes care into primary healthcare systems, and strengthening the digital tracking and monitoring of core diabetes indicators. It also emphasizes expanding public awareness and health education, investing in research and innovation, and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders. The call to action provides a structured roadmap to drive sustainable improvements in diabetes outcomes and to ensure equitable, affordable and accessible care across the region.
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Acknowledgements
We thank senior health officials from the member states of the WHO South-East Asia, Western Pacific and African regions, as well as academic institutions, professional bodies, development partners, UN agencies and the World Health Organization, who participated in the Regional Commemoration of World Diabetes Day 2024 in Sri Lanka and contributed to the drafting of the Colombo Call to Action for strengthening the prevention and control of diabetes in the WHO South-East Asia region. No specific funding was received for this work.
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P.J. and N.G. conceptualized the article. P.J., N.G., S.M. and A.A.N. wrote, reviewed and edited the manuscript. R.I.C., K., S.K., A.B., E.W.M., A.M.A., S.C.W., P.R.P., C.T., H.J.N.d.S., M.W.A., B.A., A. Kunwar, F.H., G.D., F.Q., S.R., O.C.N., S.R.D. and A. Khongsit reviewed and edited the manuscript.
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Joshi, P., Chowdhury, R.I., Karchung et al. Colombo Call to Action for diabetes prevention and control in South-East Asia. Nat. Health 1, 465–471 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44360-026-00067-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44360-026-00067-4
