First summit to tackle deadly diabetes threat

DIABETES, which is the number one killer of women and second leading cause of death for men in South Africa, will finally get a summit to highlight its deadly impact in the country.

Next week will be the Inaugural Diabetes Summit, on November 10. Its purpose is to start a discussion about the best ways to solve the most obvious challenges when it comes to diabetes in South Africa, and to point towards the development of an effective diabetes response.

According to the SA Demographic and Health Survey, two in three people in South Africa are at risk of pre-diabetes whereas one in two people with diabetes are undiagnosed, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance Bridget McNulty said all South Africans are affected by the epidemic.

“Every person in South Africa knows someone or has a family member living with diabetes. Undiagnosed, untreated and uncontrolled diabetes is leading to serious complications.”

She said these complications affect people’s quality of life and burden the public and private healthcare sector.

McNulty added that people with diabetes have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 and many have died.

“This November, instead of just telling people about diabetes in South Africa, we’ve invited all those living with and working with diabetes to join us in co-creating SA’s first Diabetes Charter. It will be launched at the summit,” said McNulty.

Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie from the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre said they decided to act so that South Africa is never again found unprepared when facing a health challenge similar to the Covid19 pandemic.

The summit will take stock of the current diabetes situation and produce a Diabetes Charter that will allow all interested parties to in response to the diabetes epidemic.