World Diabetes Day event in Kimberley
14 November 2006
Guests from national departments,
Colleagues on the Executive Committee (ExCo),
Members of the Legislature,
Partners in health,
Officials from various departments,
Ladies and gentlemen:
I am addressing you today on behalf of our Minister of Health, Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang, who took ill some time ago. As the Northern Cape we hope
for her speedy recovery.
Diabetes is a major threat to global public health that is rapidly getting
worse and the biggest impact is on adults of working age in developing
countries.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 171 million
people worldwide have diabetes. This figure is likely to more than double by
2030 to reach 366 million.
Diabetes is a life-long and a life-threatening condition and without proper
management it can lead to heart and kidney disease, blindness and even
amputation.
Furthermore, 3,2 million deaths are attributable to diabetes every year. And
at least one in 10 deaths among adults between 35 and 64 years old is
attributable to diabetes.
For us in South Africa, diabetes has also been of growing concern.
In the Northern Cape alone we have at least 6 000 diabetes patients on the
register.
Furthermore, when we compare our caseloads it also appears as if an increase
is on the cards.
In the whole of 2005 we had 2 286 new diabetes cases whereas in the first
nine months of 2006, from January to September, we have already had 2 248 new
cases.
Unfortunately, up to half of all people with type two diabetes have not yet
been diagnosed.
Although there may be no obvious symptoms and some people have no symptoms,
the following are common:
* always thirsty
* always tired
* frequent urination
* unexplained weight loss
* itching
* changes of vision
* slow healing cuts and bruises
* numbness in hands and feet.
Before I continue, I would like to give you a short explanation of the two
main types of diabetes.
Type one diabetes usually starts in young people under the age of 30
including very young children and infants and the onset is sudden and dramatic.
People who have type one diabetes must inject insulin to survive. Insulin
dosages are carefully balanced with food intake and exercise programmes.
Meanwhile, approximately 85 to 90 percent of all people with diabetes are
type two and as I said earlier, many people who have this condition are
undiagnosed.
Furthermore, most type two's are over 40 years of age. They are usually
overweight and do not exercise and eating patterns and exercise play important
roles in management of the disease.
What has also become a matter of great concern is that there also appears to
be an increase in the incidence of diabetes amongst children, which can often
be attributed directly to lifestyle.
Early detection of, or better still, prevention of type two diabetes is thus
crucial.
Instead of playing outdoors, our children are spending their days watching
television (TV) and playing TV games. And instead of eating nutritious fruits
and vegetables, our children are filling their stomachs with fried chicken and
chips, stodgy pies and sugar-filled soft drinks.
In fact, scientists believe that lifestyle and type two diabetes are closely
linked. Adoption of a western diet with lots of fat and few fruits and
vegetables often leads to obesity. This in turn increases the risk of type two
diabetes which can be fatal.
Therefore, obesity and diet are an increasing concern for all South Africans
and should be prioritised in every household.
I must therefore emphasise that lifestyle is one area in which individuals
can focus on to help prevent or delay the onset of the disease.
It is thus that the Northern Cape Department of Health has made it a
priority to promote healthy lifestyles through community awareness
campaigns.
By 2014, we want to have implemented long term healthy lifestyle campaigns
for each district including having our staff members focusing on healthy eating
habits, physical activity programmes, substance abuse elimination, tobacco
control programme and promotion of safe sex.
Anyone, anywhere, at any age can get diabetes and being overweight and
having a family history of diabetes increases the risk.
This year's theme being, "Diabetes Care For Everyone", thus says it all.
It has become imperative that emphasis is placed on healthy living because
one of today's biggest killers is that of chronic lifestyle diseases which in
many cases could have been prevented.
The Department of Health has adopted a risk-based approach in preventing
non-communicable diseases hence the focus on risk factors like inactivity,
unhealthy eating habits, smoking, alcohol abuse and many more.
Our failure to take care of our bodies through unhealthy eating habits and
not exercising puts us at risk for diseases such as hypertension, heart
diseases, diabetes and cancer.
It is in this light that South Africa has embraced the challenge of the
global move for health initiatives and we launched our national campaign on 30
May 2005.
You can further see by today's activities which included this morning's
health walk, aerobics demonstration and soccer match that we are highlighting
the importance of exercise.
Daily exercise is key to healthy living. And this doesn't mean that you have
to fork out money to join a gym. Walking is one of the best exercises around.
So put on your takkies and commit yourself to 30 minutes of physical activity a
day. And if you are able to, take the stairs instead of taking a lift.
A healthy diet, weight control, exercise, reduction in stress and no smoking
are important preventative steps. And prevention is better than cure.
Although there is no cure for diabetes, there is effective treatment and if
you know how to take good care of yourself based on good medical advice you can
lead an active healthy life.
Hence, the Northern Cape Department of Health in accordance with Vision
2014, is doing its utmost to ensure that medication is made available in all
facilities at all times so that those who are affected by diseases such as
diabetes can continue to live fulfilling lives.
While government does have a responsibility towards you to ensure "health
service excellence for all", I want to encourage each of you to also take
responsibility for your own health and the health of your children.
So don't sit back and wait for the Department of Health to fix you up. There
is a cost attached to everything. If you neglect your health we may help you to
a certain extent but not all damage can be reversed.
Furthermore, the financial implications as a result of your health
complications are exorbitant. If less people needed medical treatment,
government would have more money to spend on improving your circumstances.
So let us stand together to build a healthy nation.
In saying that I must also take this opportunity to once again warn you
about the deadly virus that is destroying our communities.
Remember that there is no cure for HIV and AIDS. It is a vicious disease. It
can, however, be prevented and its spread can be stilted if you abstain from
sex, condomise and remain faithful to your partner.
If we wish to create a healthy South Africa, it is also critical that we
eradicate tuberculosis (TB).
Unlike HIV and AIDS, TB is curable. If you have been coughing for two weeks
please go and visit your nearest health facility so that you can get the
necessary medication.
And if you are put on treatment please comply and continue with it up until
your healthcare worker or doctor tells you that you can stop!
Because if you don't, you are giving more dangerous forms of TB such as
Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB and the new Extreme Drug Resistant (XDR) TB the
opportunity to further develop.
We are also approaching the period of 16 Days of No Violence Against Women
and Children, so let us take special care in looking after the safety of our
loved ones. It is up to us to look after their well-being and in turn also
their health.
So once again I say, take care of your health. It is priceless and once you
lose it you can seldom replace it.
Thank you!
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
14 November 2006
