City of Joburg and Novo Nordisk shine spotlight on diabetes

03 November 2017

 

The battle against diabetes can be won only if more City of Joburg residents adopted an active lifestyle and turned their backs on junk food.

 

Clad in cycling gear, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Cllr Mpho Phalatse urged Sowetans at Maponya Mall to get tested for diabetes on Thursday 2 November.

MMC Phalatse was bidding the Cycle For Diabetes Team farewell as they prepared for their journey to Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal as part of the Novo Norsdisk Relay.

The City of Johannesburg and global health company Novo Nordisk staged a gruelling 72-hour cycling relay race through five South African cities and towns to raise awareness of diabetes and the importance of screening and testing for this lifestyle disease.

MMC Phalatse officially signalled the start of the Novo Norsdisk Relay, setting 16 cyclists – including members of the City's Cycle Team – into motion to highlight healthy lifestyle choices and risks associated with diabetes and obesity.

The Johannesburg leg of the relay started in Sandton and proceeded to Maponya Mall in Soweto, where diabetes screening and testing services was provided. The relay race will then make its way to Newcastle. "Get off the couch. Walk, cycle, run, dance. Be active to ensure that you don't succumb to diabetes," said MMC Phalatse as scores of residents were tested for hypertension, diabetes, prostate cancer and HIV at the mall.

Statistics show that urban diabetes is the second leading cause of death amongst females in Johannesburg and MMC Phalatse said urgent steps must be taken to change attitude and food choices that contribute to the continuing rise in numbers of those who are diabetic.

The City of Johannesburg has a diabetes prevalence rate of 11% and projections show that if residents do not reduce obesity by 25%, that prevalence will increase to 16.2% by the 2045.

Diabetes is South Africa's second biggest killer after tuberculosis and according to StatsSA, it accounted for 5.4% of the country's deaths in 2016.

"I encourage you to get tested for free at any of the City's clinics. If it's found that you are diabetic, you will also receive treatment for free at any of our clinics.

"The City of Joburg is also helping residents to start backyard gardens so that our residents starts to grow their food. If you don't know how to, we'll teach you and supply you with the seeds," said MMC Phalatse.

To keep up to date with the Novo Nordisk Cycle 4 Diabetes Relay, visit ChangingDiabetesZA on Facebook or @NovoNordiskSA on Twitter, or follow the hashtags #ChangingDiabetes and #Cycle4Diabetes.