City marks World Diabetes Day
21 November 2016
Diabetes came under sharp focus on Saturday, November 19, when the City of Johannesburg marked World Diabetes Day at Emthonjeni Centre in Zandspruit in Region C.
World Diabetes Day, spearheaded by the International Diabetes Federation, is usually held on November 14 every year to engage millions of people around the world in diabetes advocacy and awareness.
The City has since the beginning of November, which is observed as Diabetes Awareness Month in South Africa, been rolling out a series of lectures on diabetes throughout all its seven regions in partnership with Project Hope South Africa and Annova HIV South Africa.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that arises when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that enables cells to take up glucose from blood and use it for energy.
According to the federation, diabetes is the fifth-biggest cause of death in South Africa. More than two million people are living with diabetes and of these, 79% are in urban areas. About 1.4 million people have undiagnosed diabetes.
As part of World Diabetes Day activities, the City and a number of non-governmental organisations and support groups encouraged the more than 200 people who attended the Zandspruit event to lead a healthy lifestyle to keep chronic diseases such as diabetes at bay. The campaign started with a 5km fun walk.
“We did this to make people aware that walking alone can help them control their cholesterol levels and reduce the risks of chronic diseases and make them live longer and happier,” said Rose Legwale, Region C’s Health and Social Development Operations Manager.
“We want to create awareness of healthy living and the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. You can prevent and control diabetes if you exercise and eat healthy.”
Legwale said diabetes was often referred to, and correctly so, as a “silent killer”. She said the campaign was also aimed at sensitising people about signs and symptoms of diabetes and other chronic diseases and conditions such as hypertension, asthma, epilepsy and HIV-AIDS.
The warning signs include excessive thirst, increased appetite, increased urination, visible weight loss, blurred vision, fatigue, recurrent skin infections and slow healing.
“We encouraged people to test regularly and not wait for the disease to be out of control before they go to the clinic. We also insisted that they live a healthy lifestyle by joining a health club and follow a healthy diet. They were also encouraged to establish their own vegetable gardens to promote healthy eating.”