Gauteng department pushes for healthier living in Pretoria

A campaign to encourage healthier lifestyles across Pretoria is placing increasing emphasis on prevention, screening and community support as health authorities respond to rising rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases.

Through the #AsibeHealthyGP campaign, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), under the leadership of MEC for Health Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, is working to reach residents in cities and townships.

These include Winterveldt, Mamelodi and other underserved areas in the metro. Some of the campaign’s mobile clinics were allocated to the Tshwane health district.

The campaign’s name comes from a phrase meaning ’let us be healthy’ and reflects a broader shift in the province’s approach to public health.

Instead of focusing primarily on treating disease once it appears, the initiative seeks to encourage healthier living and earlier detection of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

GDoH spokesperson Nokuthula Hlophe told Rekord that obesity remains a major driver behind many of these illnesses.

“The Gauteng Department of Health recognises obesity as a major driver of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers,” she said.

According to Hlophe, South Africa faces a significant challenge in this regard.

Nearly half of adults in the country are estimated to be living with excess weight, which contributes directly to chronic illnesses that place pressure on families and the healthcare system.

In response, the department has rolled out several interventions aimed at communities across the province.

These include lifestyle education programmes, increased screening efforts and outreach initiatives that bring healthcare services closer to residents.

Nkomo-Ralehoko recently joined healthcare staff across the province for their weekly #WellnessWednesday programmes. The initiative focuses on improving the health and fitness of healthcare professionals, to ensure that those who care for patients every day also make time to care for themselves. The Wellness Wednesday also forms part of the campaign.

Hlophe said the #AsibeHealthyGP campaign forms a central part of this strategy.

“To address this at community level, the department is implementing several interventions, including the campaign, which promotes healthier lifestyles through improved nutrition, increased physical activity and routine health screening,” she said.

The initiative is supported by ward-based primary healthcare outreach teams. These teams operate at neighbourhood level and visit households to offer health education, early screening and follow-up support.

“Towns and communities are also reached through outreach programmes, wellness campaigns and partnerships with municipalities to promote physical activity in communities,” Hlophe said.

Hlophe explained that in Pretoria, these outreach efforts are particularly important because of the wide range of communities across the metro, from dense urban neighbourhoods to informal settlements and hostels where access to healthcare services can sometimes be more limited.

Community health workers often serve as the first point of contact for residents who might otherwise delay seeking medical attention.

During household visits, they can screen for risk factors such as high blood pressure, discuss nutrition and physical activity, and refer patients to clinics when needed.

“The rise in hypertension among younger adults is concerning and is largely linked to unhealthy diets high in salt and processed foods, increasing obesity levels, sedentary lifestyles, stress, alcohol consumption and tobacco use, including vapes and hookah pipes,” Hlophe said.

Urbanisation and changing lifestyles have also contributed to less physical activity and poorer dietary habits.

To counter this trend, the department is intensifying screening and health education programmes.

“Reversing this trend requires a strong focus on prevention and early detection,” Hlophe said. “The department is intensifying screening among younger populations, promoting healthy eating and physical activity, and strengthening health education programmes in communities and workplaces.”

Large-scale screening programmes are already producing significant results.

Gauteng screened more than 8.7 million adults for hypertension during the past year. “A total of 81 353 individuals screened showed elevated blood pressure readings requiring further assessment, monitoring or treatment. A total of 68 038 were initiated on treatment as new cases,” Hlophe said.

Diabetes is another area of concern. The disease affects an estimated 12% of the population in the province, with many people unaware they have it until complications develop.

“Managing diabetes successfully requires sustained lifestyle changes and adherence to treatment,” Hlophe said. “Some of the main barriers include poor diet, lack of physical activity, challenges with medication adherence, socio-economic factors and limited understanding of the condition.”

Within schools, health promotion programmes aim to teach learners about nutrition and the importance of physical activity from an early age. Workplace wellness programmes are also being strengthened to include routine screenings and health education.

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