World Diabetes Day: Raising awareness in the Eastern Cape with health screenings

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
14 November 2024 | 12:56 CAT
2-minute read

Diabetes, one of the top 10 causes of death globally, impacts nearly half a billion people worldwide, with more than 80% of cases found in low- and middle-income countries.

Today, on World Diabetes Day, Doctors Without Borders Southern Africa, in collaboration with the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape, is hosting a comprehensive health screening event at Mbhashe Sub-District in Amathole.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Manghandan Sivaramakrishnan from Doctors Without Borders Southern Africa highlighted the urgent need for diabetes awareness in the Eastern Cape, where the disease is the second leading cause of death after COVID-19.

“In the Eastern Cape public health sector alone, 12.4% of the patients are newly diagnosed with diabetes,” he stated. Nationally, diabetes ranks as the fifth leading cause of death, but in the Eastern Cape, it poses an even more severe risk,” Sivaramakrishnan said.

Mbhashe Sub District is part of the Amathole Magisterial District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Today’s event in Mbhashe aims to provide more than just diabetes screening. It will offer a range of screenings for hypertension, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and cervical cancer. According to Sivaramakrishnan, “Our goal is not only to screen but to raise awareness in the community, encouraging people to take control of their health and get screened regularly.”

The event is part of a growing partnership between Doctors Without Borders and the Eastern Cape Department of Health, focusing on combatting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes. Sivaramakrishnan praised the Department of Health’s commitment, describing the collaboration as “spectacular.”

On World Diabetes Day, Sivaramakrishnan offered essential advice for diabetics and those at risk: “First, be aware of diabetes symptoms and take the initiative to get tested. Second, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.” With diabetes cases increasing by 25% between 2008 and 2018, he pointed to factors like poverty, unhealthy diets, and high-stress levels as significant contributors to the disease’s prevalence.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.