The North West Department of Health has organised blitz activities in the Province’s busy spots like taxi ranks and public parks to raise awareness about Diabetes and promote healthy lifestyle to mark World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day is observed annually on the 14th of November.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The World Health Organisation projects that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in 2030. In 2015, an estimated 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes.
A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication and regular screening and treatment for complications.
Health promoters from the department of health will be screening the public at taxi ranks and public parks from 14 to 17 November.
The screenings and blitz activities are scheduled as follows:
- 14 November: Mahikeng Taxi Rank, Mahikeng
- 15 November: Rustenburg Taxi Rank, Rustenburg
- 16 November: Municipality Park, Kerksdporp
Members of the media are invited to attend blitz activities scheduled to start at 10h00 to help spread awareness on Diabetes.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 964 8838
E-mail:tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
