In an interview with The Zimbabwean ahead of the World Diabetes Day, the association’s National Chairperson, Ngoni Chigwana, attributed the increase in the number of diabetes-related deaths to the high consumption of refined foods.
The World Diabetes Day 2012 campaign marks the fourth year of the five-year focus on “Diabetes education and prevention” and will be commemorated on the 20 November.
“The last survey carried out in this country in 2005 showed that 10% of the population suffered from diabetes. Now, because of the lifestyle that many are leading, this number has trebled and many people are dying,” said Chigwana.
He said the prevalence of diabetes was set to increase as evidence-based research had shown that 50-80 % of all people affected with the disease were unaware of their condition.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera has pledged to embark on a vigorous awareness campaign to educate people on the dangers of diabetes.
“One in four Zimbabweans has hypertension and one in 10 has some form of diabetes. The ministry had taken steps to educate the public on non-communicable diseases to help people maintain their good health. We have been focusing on disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups countrywide, with particular attention on populations migrating from rural to urban centres,” said Madzorera.
He added that there was need for adequate resources if awareness programmes on diabetes were to bear the desired results.
A nurse, Augustine Mugidha, said rural populations without access to health care were often in the dark about conditions that cause long-term harm. “There is need to promote awareness that every person with diabetes or at risk of diabetes deserves the best possible quality of education, prevention and care available. Difficulties in accessing health care are highest among those who are outside the system, or are less likely to access or become aware of available services,” said Mugidha.
A consulting physician at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Dr Elopy Sibanda, said most health resources were being spent on HIV when evidence suggests that even more are affected by diseases such as diabetes.
He said little had been done to educate Zimbabweans on how to prevent the serious health consequences of high blood pressure, such as heart or kidney disease, or the equally serious effects of diabetes.
“My mum, aged 72, just had her leg amputated at Mpilo Hospital due to a diabetic foot ulcer. Her foot was literally rotting away, as a consequence of her being diabetic. Some may not agree with me, but I am thoroughly convinced that fast foods are destroying people’s health,” said a woman only identified as Martha. The World Diabetes Day 2012 campaign will link the urgent need for action to the protection of the health of our future generations. Particular focus will be placed on highlighting the importance of education for health professionals, people with diabetes and people at risk in reducing the impact of diabetes throughout the world.
The campaign aims to educate, engage and empower youth and the general public on diabetes. It will have a special focus on children and young people as the driving force for the promotion and dissemination of education.
There is need to build awareness among children and young people of the warning signs, risk factors for diabetes and the that, in many cases, these can be prevented through healthy eating and physical activity.
Post published in: News