The northern city of Tangier hosted the 3rd National Diabetes Congress from March 26 to 29, 2026, bringing together a distinguished gathering of Moroccan and international specialists under the banner of the Moroccan Society of Diabetology (SMD). The event centered on the latest scientific advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes, with particular focus on the complex and far-reaching consequences of type 2 diabetes.
A central theme running through the congress was the strong causal relationship between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular and renal complications. Experts emphasized that the disease significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular mortality and accelerates the decline of kidney function, while any deterioration of the heart or kidneys in turn worsens the progression of diabetes. These complications, specialists warned, frequently develop without visible symptoms in their early stages, making early intervention essential.
SMD President Dr. Sonia Abahou highlighted the significance of the 2026 American Diabetes Association guidelines, which recommend initiating combination therapy when HbA1c levels exceed personalized targets by 1.5 to 2 percentage points, enabling faster and more sustained glycemic control. She also referenced the latest NICE 2026 recommendations, which advocate for SGLT2 inhibitors across all type 2 diabetes patient profiles, regardless of comorbidities.
A landmark moment at this edition was the unveiling of Morocco’s first fixed-combination SGLT2 inhibitor therapy. Experts stressed that treatment must extend beyond glycemic control alone, adopting a holistic approach that protects vital organs and breaks the vicious cycle linking diabetes to cardiovascular and renal disease.
Congress participants called for a fundamental transformation of Morocco’s chronic disease management system, anchored in integration, innovation, and prevention. Their appeal carries considerable urgency: more than 2.8 million Moroccans currently live with diabetes, a significant share undiagnosed. Non-communicable diseases, specialists noted, now account for approximately 85 percent of deaths in the country.
