Call for access to diabetes resources as numbers rise

THE International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2021 reported that South Africa has the highest rates of diabetes on the continent.

A health expert says through increased private sector investment, the country is well-positioned to mitigate the impact of the disease.

Yesterday was World Diabetes Day, an awareness day created by the IDF and the World Health Organization in 1991. It’s when the IDF releases annual data reports which unpack the seriousness of diabetes across the globe.

Clinical lead at Unu Health, Dr Phatho Zondi, said: “The threat of diabetes has grown exponentially over the last decade and poses a significant challenge for South Africans. A large number cannot access the necessary health-care resources they need to diagnose and then adequately treat the disease, putting them at risk for a progressive disease with far-reaching consequences when poorly managed.”

In their 2021 Atlas Report, the IDF found South Africa has the highest number of people living with diabetes in Africa. It is reported that up to 4.2 million South Africans were recorded to have diabetes in 2021, which accounts for 11.3% of the population.

According to a 2019 report by the Department of Health, diabetes is also the leading cause of death in South African women.

As the rate of diabetes continues to rise, the private sector is well positioned to play a central and active role in mitigating the impact of the disease.

Unu Health advocates efforts to broaden access to affordable, quality healthcare for all, Zondi said.

“Managing diabetes can be simple and affordable if diagnosed and treated early enough. Businesses and business owners can help mitigate the effect of the disease by raising awareness among their employees and supporting programmes and interventions that enable early diagnosis and management.”

Zondi said there is a need for increased screening and prevention efforts, adding that the IDF found about 45.5% of people living with diabetes are undiagnosed.

“When diabetes is untreated, it can have significant impacts on quality of life and substantial health-care costs, which most South Africans cannot afford. Untreated diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness or amputation.”

“Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes have a direct impact on the private sectors’ ability to operate effectively. Neglecting the treatment of these diseases early on will have a cascading and adverse impact on productivity and business costs.”

Zondi decried that the cost of health care in South Africa has increased in recent years, making access to quality health care less affordable to the average South African.

“The increased burden of the Covid19 pandemic has also strained public healthcare institutions. By investing in the health of their employees, the private sector can play a meaningful role in making the country healthier.”