15 November 2007
More than 2 000 people descended to the underprivileged Joe Slovo Informal
Settlement near Mthatha, to observe the provincial World Diabetes Day, as
declared by the World Health Organisation.
This year's World Diabetes Day was a unique day as Eastern Cape Department
of Education (ECDOH) decided to commemorate it on the site where a clinic is to
be built for the impoverished community.
The celebrations, which were very educational, were not only for the Mthatha
residents, as scores of people came from all over the province to honour the
day. Three marquees were turned to universities of knowledge where Health
professionals preached the fighting, prevention and containment of
diabetes.
After a five-kilometre fun walk under a scorching 31 degrees Mthatha sun, in
which more than 500 people took part, the Joe Slovo Clinic site became a hive
of activities, from traditional dancing to the parading of virgin girls. The
climax was when multitudes of people were broken into three commissions to
share experiences and carve a way-forward for the treatment of diabetes.
"The strategy of grouping men, women and children separately worked well
because people opened up and sincerely discussed shared problems that affect
diabetics," enthused Programme Manager of the Non-Communicable Diseases in
Bhisho Xoliswa Mayekiso.
One of the common problems that diabetics are concerned with is the
expensive diet that they have to stick to and raised the need for government to
subsidise them. Diabetic men all shared their problem of impotence caused by
the disease which is amongst the reasons their families are collapsing.
Testing diabetes on time, sticking to the recommended diet, exercising and
taking prescribed medication correctly were some of the issues that were
stressed.
"Many young people do not test for diabetes because they believe it is for
older people, but everyone has to test so that they can lead a healthy life
knowing their status," stressed Buyile Hoko, 38, from Somerset East, who was
diagnosed with diabetes ten years ago.
The summit followed an initiative by ECDOH to inform the public through
educating 38 nurses from all sub-districts in the province's identified centres
of excellence on diabetes. The campaign went as far as selecting one
traditional surgeon per health district to undergo a two-day training provided
by Roche Diagnostic, which preceded the World Diabetes Day.
"This is a continuous programme but this year the focus was on diabetes,
because people talk a lot about HIV and AIDS and other diseases and less about
diabetes. Our main focus is to reach as many people as possible to share and
advice them about the dangers of the diseases," explained Mayekiso.
She stated that the department saw the need to direct the message to the
relevant people. One of the doctors who were present to advice the people was
Myeko, who gave a brief overview of what the diabetes is and how its dangers
can be alleviated.
Enquiries:
Mthatha Hospital Complex Communications Section
Tel: 047 502 4522
Fax: 047 502 4970
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
15 November 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za)
