Background (Why):
The World Diabetes Day is celebrated on 14 November every year.
World Diabetes Day was created by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organisation in 1991, in response to the escalating incidence of diabetes around the world.
The United Nations General Assembly passed a Resolution on 20 December 2006 which designates the World Diabetes Day as a United Nations World Diabetes Day to be observed every year beginning in 2007.
The theme for 2009 - 2013 is Diabetes Education and Prevention.
This year’s slogan is “let’s take control of Diabetes, now”. This is in line with the campaign’s five year focus of Diabetes Education and Prevention.
Project 1: Open for media, community and health staff
When, what, where and how:
Friday, 12 November 2010, 08:00 - 09:00:
Three km Diabetes health walk, starting at Shimla Park, Sport Terrain, University of the Free State. The Changing Diabetes bus will be stationed there. Community should bring their own water to drink during the health walk.
Enquiries for logistics:
Arina Otto
Tel: 051 401 3325 (Sports Medicine Clinic)
Friday, 12 November 2010, 09:00 - 12:00
After the Health Walk, diabetes, blood pressure (BP), blood glucose (BG), body mass index (BMI) and cholestrol screening will be done at Universitas Academic Hospital in the foyer on the ground floor.
Enquiries for logistics:
Letitia Nomtshongwana
Cell: 082 469 7083
Project 2: Open only for the media, not the general public
When: Saturday, 13 November 2010, 08:00 - 15:00
What: Screening and treatment of known diabetic patients per referral letters only; patients were invited from all over the Free State and will be bussed in by six buses.
Where: Diabetes Village at Pelonomi Regional Hospital public parking area
Why and how:
Objectives of the day
Only known Diabetics with referral letters are invited and will be bussed in from all over the Free State for holistic check ups and screening for possible complications. Recommended treatment referrals or treatment at the actual venue will be done and support and counselling will be supplied.
Who:
Three Partners in this event: Department of Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS and Novo Nordisk (Main sponsor)
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk’s Changing Diabetes Bus is especially equipped to do the holistic check-ups on the diabetic patients:
A Fundus Camera: Screening for Retinopathy
A Retinopathy Laser: Subject to availability of Ophthalmologist
A Neurothesiometer: Vibration sense assessment for neuropathy
A Doppler Probe: Vascular assessment for neuropathy
Screening facilities – BG, BMI, BP, Eye Tests
As regular eating of the right food is of the utmost importance for diabetic patients, Novo Nordisk will supply a food parcel to each of the patients coming by bus.
From the Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS, the following departments will be involved:
- Internal Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Nutrition Department
- Sports and Science Department (and they are very keen to be part of the day!).
Other stakeholders
- Quality Optics
- DNE – Diabetes Nurse Educators
- Podiatry Group – Podiatrist from Johannesburg to attend and also assist and train DNE’s on the day to do screening
- Lifescan BG Company
- Diabetes South Africa
Enquiries:
Mr Jabu Mbalula
Tel: 051 408 1824
Cell: 082 461 3112
E-mail: mbalulajni@fshealth.gov.za
Gela Van Heerden:
Tel: 051 408 1278
Fax: 051 408 1055
Cell: 082 381 9483
E-mail: vheerdenep@fshealth.gov.za
