The Stella Oludinanwa Ogbaegbe Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Initiative (SOO-DAWI) was established in memory of Stella Oludinanwa Ogbaegbe, who tragically lost her life to diabetes at the age of 35. This Pan-African initiative is dedicated to tackling the rising diabetes epidemic and reversing the tide of diabetes-related deaths and complications across the continent through culturally grounded awareness campaigns, preventive education, and robust support systems for those affected by the disease.

Diabetes has become a major public health crisis across Africa. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), over 24 million adults in sub-Saharan Africa were living with diabetes as of 2021, with the region experiencing the highest percentage of undiagnosed cases globally, estimated at more than 50%. If current trends continue, this number is projected to rise to 55 million by 2045. The late diagnosis of diabetes often results in severe complications, including blindness, kidney failure, amputations, stroke, and premature death, most of which are preventable. Many individuals remain unaware of their condition until severe complications arise, underlining the urgent need for proactive intervention.

Several continent-wide factors are fuelling this alarming increase:
1. Urbanisation and Lifestyle Shifts
2. Low Awareness and Health Literacy
3. Inequitable Healthcare Access

SOO-DAWI's mission across Africa is clear and urgent:
• Educate communities on how to prevent, detect, and manage diabetes early, emphasising nutrition, exercise, and behavioural change.
• Support those living with diabetes through care management resources, free or subsidised access to screenings, medications, and healthcare services. 
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals, NGOs, tech providers, and governments to improve diabetes care accessibility and strengthen public health systems.

SOO-DAWI aligns with UN SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 & 17 & AU’s Agenda 2063 Aspirations 1, 3, 6 & 7.

SOO-DAWI

Org chart

Teams

Offices