As part of marking World Diabetes Day, the City of Johannesburg’s Health Department is hosting an 8km fun walk from Naledi Hall, Soweto, on Sunday, 19 November 2023. The walk aims to create awareness around diabetes, promote a healthy lifestyle and offer free screening of diabetes, HIV/Aids and high blood pressure. World Diabetes Day falls on 14 November 2023. Over 4 million South Africans suffer from the disease. Diabetes is considered a silent killer because it can show no symptoms in the early stages. Over the past decade, diabetes has become as one of the biggest causes of death. In South Africa diabetes is the second-leading cause of mortality after tuberculosis.
Left untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and lower limb amputation.
According to a study by National Library of Medicine, by 2030 type 2 diabetes will cost the South African government R35.1 billion.
About 51% of the estimated cost will be attributable to the management of type 2 diabetes, and 49% to complications. Detecting and treating diabetes is critical in reducing the burden it puts on the healthcare system.
Most of the diabetes care in the country takes place in primary healthcare facilities.
The City of Johannesburg strives to provide adequate diabetes treatment in its clinics.
“The City does awareness campaigns to residents on how to prevent diabetes. It also does diabetes screening of patients. Patients diagnosed with diabetes get educated on how to manage it and are put on diabetes medication,” says Kamogelo Maimane, the Manager Public Health at the City of Johannesburg.
Patients are also offered nutritional advice, education on lifestyle and behavioural changes such as living an active healthy lifestyle, weight reduction and stop smoking.
The City of Johannesburg Health Department also has a partnership with Novo Nordisk called City Changing Diabetes (CCD). It aims to understand the driving factors behind the rise of diabetes in urban areas, share that knowledge and apply it to real-world situation to provide solutions.
Written by Ayanda Radebe
14/11/2023
Twitter: @CityofJoburgZA
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