In the heart of sub-Saharan Africa, two major health threats silently wreak havoc: Diabetes and Malaria. One is a chronic, non-communicable disease slowly altering the body’s metabolic system.

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our world in unimaginable ways. From lockdowns to lost lives, no one was untouched by the global ripple effect of the virus. But amidst the chaos, an important medical insight emerged: People living with diabetes were disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Diabetes is often called a silent killer. But what happens when this silent disease joins forces with another, slowly, subtly, but lethally? Enter kidney disease, the often-overlooked partner in crime.

When we talk about diabetes, we think about blood sugar, insulin, and complications like kidney damage or blindness. When we talk about cancer, we imagine tumors, biopsies, chemotherapy, and survival. But what if these two conditions, so different in appearance, are more connected than we ever realised?

When you hear “diabetes” and “leprosy,” they likely sound worlds apart, one is a modern chronic condition managed with insulin and lifestyle changes, the other an ancient disease often misunderstood and heavily stigmatised. But emerging research tells a different story, one of unexpected overlap, shared complications, and crucial opportunities for integrated healthcare.