celebrations of World Diabetes Day, Botshabelo Stadium
14 November 2006
Programme Director
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I am delighted to be able to address this gathering here this morning and
would like to express my thanks to the organisers for bringing us all together
here this morning to celebrate World Diabetes Day 2006. The theme for today's
event focuses on raising awareness of diabetes in the disadvantaged and the
vulnerable communities.
Ladies and gentlemen, national and international health awareness days such
as these serve to remind us all about the importance of taking responsibility
for our own lives. The department and its partner for today's event, the Centre
for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Mangaung, is an example of the way in which
we should approach all health issues. Creating partnerships among the community
serves to strengthen hands and pool resources in such a manner that it is more
easily available and provide expertise where in some cases it was not
available.
Programme Director, it is highly likely that all of us know a person with
diabetes. Diabetes is a lifestyle illness and one can find three types of
diabetes. Type one diabetes usually occurs when the pancreas stops producing
insulin. It 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.
The second diabetes is caused when the insulin, which the pancreas produces,
is either not enough or does not work properly. Approximately 85 to 90% of all
people with diabetes are type two, and many people who have this condition are
undiagnosed. Most type two's are over 40. They are usually overweight and do
not exercise. This type two diabetes may be treated successfully without
medication. Often loss of weight alone will reduce glucose levels. Eating
patterns and exercise play important roles in management. Tablets may be
prescribed to help improve control, however, many type two's will eventually
use insulin. Although type two is, in itself, not life threatening, in many
ways it is more dangerous than type one, as its onset is gradual and hard to
detect. High blood glucose levels over a long period of time can cause serious
damage to the delicate parts of the body and lead to blindness, heart attack or
stroke, kidney failure, impotence and amputation. I need to mention gestational
diabetes as it is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. Both
mother and child have an increased risk of developing diabetes in the
future.
Programme Director, with this in mind, it is clear that we all need to do
our best to not only prevent but provide adequate support and prevention
programmes to those suffering from diabetes. It is important that a person is
aware of the signs and symptoms, and then should he or she suspect diabetes, go
to a primary healthcare clinic or facility for testing to find out what the
status is. Only then can the patient then enter into the treatment programme
available. Diabetes can successfully be controlled. It is however an illness
which requires the individual to take responsibility for his or her own
health.
In the Free State, services for diabetic care are available at all primary
healthcare clinics and between the periods January to September 2006, 2 676
patients were reported to be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and put on
treatment; and 137 805 patients are reported to be doing regular follow-up
visits to health facilities in the province.
The theme for this year focuses on the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our
communities, especially those who are experiencing difficulties in accessing
optimal healthcare either because they are outside the healthcare system or for
some reason are less likely to access or are less aware of the services
available to them.
Depending on local circumstances, the people who are disadvantaged or
vulnerable in terms of access to or the availability of diabetes care will
differ. Treatment and medication for diabetics are available free of charge at
primary healthcare clinics and today screening services are to be done
hereafter.
Programme Director, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Centre
for Diabetes and Endocrinology need to be closer to the people and I would like
to congratulate the centre for opening its doors here in Botshabelo in the next
few months. May the work you do here be fruitful and valuable and contribute to
a healthy Free State community.
In closing, may I remind all here today that early detection and treatment
is the key to managing diabetes effectively. It is important that the support
system of a person with diabetes be fully educated on treatment and support
options. It is also important that we focus our attention more on the
vulnerable groups in our society such as children and the elderly.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
14 November 2006
