In celebration of World Diabetes Day 2024, themed “Diabetes and Wellbeing,” Mega Lifesciences has launched the We Care Diabetes App—a pioneering mobile platform aimed at transforming diabetes management across Nigeria. This launch comes at a crucial time, with diabetes becoming a growing global health crisis, particularly in Nigeria, where over 11 million people live with the disease.
Diabetes mellitus is a condition that arises when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or when the body is unable to effectively utilise the insulin it produces.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes diabetes in Africa as a serious, chronic and costly disease that is estimated to rise to 23.9 million cases by 2030. The global health agency recent survey estimated that 15 percent of Nigerians are living with diabetes mellitus. And the major symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, and increased hunger.
There are three different types of diabetes namely type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. Being a silent condition, that develops gradually, a significant number of people are unaware that they have the disease.
The We Care Diabetes App, according to the pharmaceutical company, is designed to provide real-time support to diabetes patients. It enables users to monitor their blood glucose levels, access professional health coaching, and store their medical history, all through a user-friendly interface. By offering advanced remote care, the app addresses the pressing need for accessible healthcare, especially in rural and underserved regions where such services may be limited.
The app was unveiled during the 45th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSON) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The event, themed “Diabetes and Technology,” brought together Nigeria’s leading endocrinologists and healthcare professionals to discuss the role of digital innovations in enhancing diabetes care. The launch of the We Care Diabetes App was a key moment, reinforcing Mega Lifesciences’ dedication to improving healthcare access. Their partnership with EMSON for the symposium further demonstrated their commitment to advancing diabetes care through education and technology.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Maneesh Mehra, managing director of Mega Lifesciences, West Africa, stated, “The We Care Diabetes App is not just a technological innovation—it empowers patients to take control of their health. Through this app, diabetes patients can monitor their condition, track progress, and engage with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes. This aligns with our goal to make healthcare accessible to all, particularly in areas where medical facilities are limited.”
Also in attendance was Dr Binu Joy, CEO of Health@Home, the digital division of Mega Lifesciences. Dr Joy highlighted the importance of data-driven, personalised care for patients, saying, “The digital healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, and with the We Care Diabetes App, our focus is on providing precision and personalised care to each patient. The platform goes beyond diabetes monitoring—it offers patients visibility and autonomy in managing their condition, while fostering a community of care.”
Binu also emphasised the app’s ability to bridge the communication gap between healthcare providers and patients, stating, “One major challenge for both patients and doctors is the lack of real-time data and communication. The We Care Diabetes App addresses this by enabling continuous interaction, allowing doctors to offer timely interventions based on real-time data.” He reiterated the company’s commitment, saying they aim to provide solutions that tackle healthcare challenges and help patients live healthier, longer lives through digital tools.
The Health@Home CEO further stated that the new diabetes app offers multiple features that enhance diabetes management, such as blood glucose monitoring, which allows patients to log and track their daily readings and gain valuable insights into their health. “It also includes real-time health coaching from certified professionals to guide patients in managing their diabetes more effectively. Additionally, users can store and share their medical records, lab results, and prescriptions with healthcare providers, which improves the efficiency of consultations,” he said.
Mr Amit Singh Raguvanshy, head of the Chronic Care team at Mega Lifesciences, explained that the app was designed to meet the needs of diabetes patients by guiding them through every aspect of managing their condition.
In a country like Nigeria, where access to healthcare can be inconsistent, the We Care Diabetes App offers an innovative solution to many of the challenges faced by diabetes patients. Prof. Michael Olamoyegun, a consultant endocrinologist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, highlighted the app’s potential to fill critical gaps in diabetes care: “Many patients, especially in remote areas, struggle with late diagnosis and lack of timely treatment. The We Care Diabetes App bridges this gap by equipping patients with the tools to monitor their health and seek professional guidance remotely.”
Olamoyegun further added, “When patients consistently track their health data, doctors can provide more tailored and timely treatment, significantly improving diabetes management outcomes.”
As the world observes World Diabetes Day, Mega Lifesciences, through the We Care Diabetes App, takes a meaningful step towards addressing the campaign’s core theme: access to care. By offering advanced diabetes management tools via a mobile platform, the app empowers patients to take control of their health, wherever they are.
