🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Dr. Souleymane Tandamba warns against misconceptions about sweeteners and whole sugars in diabetes management
via Lefaso.net11 min read
Dr. Souleymane Tandamba, a medical professional, explains that diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease impacting blood sugar regulation, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. It occurs when the pancreas cannot produce insulin or when insulin's action on target tissues is impaired. Diagnosis is often made when fasting blood glucose is 1.26 g/l or higher on two occasions. Factors influencing blood sugar in diabetic individuals include non-adherence to treatment, dietary deviations, physical inactivity, excessive re-sugaring during hypoglycemia, and intercurrent factors like infections or stress, all of which can increase blood sugar. Conversely, certain hypoglycemic medications, intense physical activity, alcohol, and organ insufficiency can lead to low blood sugar. Managing both exogenous and endogenous sugar is crucial for glycemic balance, which helps prevent acute and chronic complications. Dr. Tandamba addresses the market presence of "diabetic sugars" or "low glycemic index sugars," clarifying that these are sweeteners and whole sugars. Sweeteners are substances that provide a sweet taste without being simple carbohydrates, with common types including sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, acesulfame potassium, and steviol glycosides. Whole sugars, like unrefined cane or beet sugar, primarily consist of sucrose and retain some natural components but generally have a glycemic index similar to refined sugar. The World Health Organization WHO recommends limiting fr
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Must ReadSpain has secured its place in the World Cup final after defeating France in the first semifinal match. The Spanish team, known as La Roja, took an early lead when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal. Spain continued to dominate the game, with Pedro Porro scoring in the 58th minute to extend their lead. Although Lamine Yamal had a goal disallowed for offside shortly after, France struggled to find a response. Despite attempts from Ousmane Dembelé and Kylian Mbappé, the French team, Les Bleus, could not overcome Spain's defense. This marks another instance where Spain has eliminated France from a major tournament, following their Euro 2024 semifinal clash. Spain, the reigning European champion, will now compete for its second World Cup title, having previously won in 2010. They will face the winner of the match between England and Argentina. The World Cup 2026 final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at 7 PM GMT at MetLife Stadium in the United States.
The new hemodialysis center in Fada N'Gourma, Burkina Faso, is significantly improving access to specialized care for patients with renal failure in the Goulmou, Sirba, and Tapoa regions. Dr. Delwende Bertrand Dibri, a nephrologist and head of the hemodialysis center, highlighted that previously, patients traveled at least 150 km for nephrology consultations and even further for dialysis sessions. The center is equipped with twelve dialysis generators, including nine in the main hall, two in an isolation room, and one in the resuscitation room, with two generators in reserve. It can perform 252 dialysis sessions per week, accommodating 36 patients daily for their sessions, and manages a caseload of 110 chronic hemodialysis patients, in addition to acute cases. The facility also includes a catheter placement room, a 165 KVA generator, a borehole with a water treatment room, offices, and an equipped consultation room. All staff, except the nephrologist, received six months of specialized training in Ouagadougou. Patients are admitted after consultation and review by a committee, with a registry maintained for those awaiting hemodialysis. Dr. Dibri identified hypertension, diabetes, infections, uncontrolled self-medication including phytotherapy, and artisanal gold panning as key risk factors for renal failure. Future plans for the center include increasing capacity, organizing screening and awareness campaigns, and training healthcare agents in renal disease management and hemo
Must ReadBurkina Faso's diplomatic and consular staff from the embassy and consulate general in France have officially returned to Ouagadougou following the closure of the Burkinabe diplomatic mission in Paris. The return of the twelve diplomats and consular agents on July 13, 2026, was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which categorically denied rumors circulating on social media that some diplomats had sought asylum from French authorities. The staff, including former Chargé d'affaires Jean Marie Bakouan, were received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré and Minister Delegate Bêbgnasgnan Stella Eldine Kabré/Kaboré. During the ceremony, Bakouan officially handed over the national flag and the embassy keys to the Burkinabe head of diplomacy, symbolizing the effective closure of the embassy in the French Republic. This action solidifies the sovereign decision by Burkinabe authorities to end diplomatic relations with France, a decision announced on June 26, 2026. Minister Traoré stated that the diplomats' return is a crucial step in the process of severing diplomatic ties, noting that administrative aspects are ongoing. Bakouan described their return as "in all dignity," emphasizing that all necessary arrangements were made to inform and reassure other partners, including international organizations in France and other states covered by the Paris embassy. He firmly refuted claims of asylum requests, stating, "We returned proud, tired but not unhappy." F