Diabetes has tragically claimed the lives of countless South Africans, leaving families devastated. In response to this crisis, experts are uniting to combat the disease by promoting effective prevention strategies.
Pretoria, South Africa (13 August 2024) – Diabetes-related mortality remains a major issue in South Africa, but many cases are still undetected. Even people with private healthcare aren’t getting the best treatment. This is putting a huge strain on the healthcare system.
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure and to address this crisis, experts recently presented a report with recommendations to the National Department of Health following the 2023 Diabetes Summit held at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Future Africa Campus late last year.
The summit brought together people living with diabetes, diabetes advocates, healthcare professionals, health authorities, government officials, policymakers, academics, public health specialists, private medical scheme and pharmaceutical company representatives, as well as non-profit organisations, to highlight the challenges faced by people living with diabetes and contribute to improving their well-being.
Diabetes has become the leading cause of death in the country since 2019, Stats SA reports.
“Diabetes can be prevented, treated and managed. No one should be left behind,” said Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Chairperson of the South African Diabetes Alliance and Co-Founder of the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre.
The South African Diabetes Alliance is a non-profit organisation that organises the bi-annual Diabetes Summit in partnership with the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre and SA Diabetes Advocacy, with support from the National Department of Health.
Putting healthcare workers at the centre of diabetes awareness.
The Diabetes Summit Report highlights significant challenges to effective diabetes prevention and management in South Africa.
A primary challenge is the widespread lack of awareness and education about diabetes, both within the healthcare system and the general public. Additionally, there is a critical shortage of structured training for both people living with diabetes and healthcare professionals.
To address these issues, the report recommends increasing the number of Diabetes Nurse Educators by providing incentives and creating dedicated positions within public healthcare facilities. It also stresses the importance of leveraging community healthcare workers for diabetes screening, early detection, and referral to appropriate care.
Jeanette Hunter, Deputy Director-General for Primary Health Care at the National Department of Health, said that the recommendations outlined in the report are aligned with South Africa’s national response to combat diabetes.
The National Department of Health has committed to collaborating with the Diabetes Alliance, the UP Diabetes Research Centre, and all partners to combat diabetes and fulfil the promise of “a long and healthy life for people living with diabetes in South Africa”.
Sources: University of Pretoria
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