This is a very important question (thought). In poor countries, diabetics die many years upfront without even knowing they had diabetes. My aunt (my sister's mother) had her leg amputated in August last year just a few months after it was "discovered" that she had diabetes.
My Uncle (my father's younger brother) died of diabetes complications in 2008. Had I known what I know today about diabetes, I think he could still be alive today. My own mother is type2, has HBP and advanced arthritis. We're trying our best to provide the necessary medication and care. Thank God her situation was "discovered" much earlier.
The truth of the matter is that hundreds if not hundreds of thousands in poor countries die from this condition without ever knowing they had it. No healthcare, no medication, no information, and, as the Americans would say, no nothing. That it the truth about diabetics in developing (poor) countries.
Thanks copepod for the IDDT link.