Optimizing diabetes mellitus care to improve COVID-19 outcomes in resource-limited settings in Africa.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for both severe disease and death due to coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). About 19 million of the 463 million persons living with DM (PLWD) globally are found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The dual burden of DM and poverty in SSA, coupled with the rising number of cases of COVID-19 in this region, predisposes PLWD to inadequate care and poor glycemic controls due to the disruption to the economy and the healthcare system.