It is with deep sadness and regret that the International Diabetes Federation has learnt of the passing of Prof. Naby Balde, a former Vice-President of the Federation and Chair of the IDF Africa Region.
Prof. Balde, from Guinea, was a well-known and respected endocrinologist who began his professional interest in diabetes in 1993. He was Head of the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Gastroenterology at Donka-Conakry University Hospital and senior researcher and lecture in Endocrinology. In 1996, he set up the first Diabetes Care department at Conakry Teaching Hospital and subsequently led the WHO-STEPS Survey in Guinea and oversaw the development of a National Diabetes Programme and diabetes care networks in the country.
Dr Balde was been actively involved in the care and empowerment of young people living with diabetes in Africa as well as in advocacy for type 1 diabetes and NCD care in the region, particularly for underserved populations. He was a founding member and served on the Board of Diabète Académie Afrique (D2A), an active member of the WHO Civil Society Working Group on Diabetes and NCDs and General Secretary of the Société Francophone Africaine du Diabète et d’Endocrinologie (SFADE).
IDF extends its most heartfelt condolences to Prof. Balde’s family and friends at this time of sadness.
