World Diabetes Day
14 November 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni, will lead the community
of St Chad in Ladysmith joining the world on Thursday, 22 November 2007, in
commemorating the World Diabetes Day under the theme: "Diabetes in children and
adolescents".
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. It can
strike children at any age, including pre-school children and even toddlers.
Yet diabetes in children is often diagnosed late when the child has diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA).
This year, the Diabetes Day campaigns will put more emphasis on how the
younger generations can lead a healthy lifestyle to avoid diabetes. Campaigns
will further encourage initiatives that will lead to an early detection of
diabetes. The campaigns will also, amongst other things, raise awareness of
warning signs of diabetes; encourage initiatives to reduce DKA and distribute
materials to support these initiatives.
In many countries, including ours, diabetes is still thought as a disease
that only affects adults only. As a result, children with diabetes are
diagnosed late with potentially severe consequences, including death.
With this year's theme being "Diabetes in Children and Adolescents", it is
therefore necessary to ensure that every child has a right to a long and
healthy life. The key messages are:
* no child should die of diabetes
* more than 200 children get diabetes every day
* diabetes is different for children
* diabetes hits the poor hardest
* all diabetes is on the rise in children
* children die because their families cannot afford the medication they
need.
The MEC will also participate in the clinic construction project at St
Chad's before proceeding to the event. The Department of Health wishes to
invite journalists and reporters to the awareness event to be held as
follows:
Date: 22 November 2007
Time: 09h00
Venue: St Chad's, Ladysmith
Enquiries:
Mr Leon Mbangwa
Health Spokesperson
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
14 November 2007
