Diabetes awareness kicks into high gear in Alex

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Health workers in Alexandra have been screening people for diabetes and advising them on a healthy diet and lifestyle.

“This year we are intensifying our campaign particularly around pregnant women as we know the danger of diabetes to their unborn children. If we found the disease is outside the control range, we’ll immediately put them on our various City’s facilities for the treatment,” said Eleanor Lebethe, Director of Public Health for the City of Johannesburg.

With the assistance of the ward-based outreach teams, they’ll visit various households in the township to educate, collect data and encourage people for further screening.

“During recent research, we conducted at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital we found that in most surgical wards many of the cases were the result of diabetes. There were so many amputations.”

Healthy lifestyle

Lebethe encouraged residents to stick to the healthy diet with correct portions. She said diabetes can easily be avoided with a healthy lifestyle.

“A 30-minute jog or brisk walk once or twice a week can go a long way towards promoting better health.”

One of the participants in the campaign, Elizabeth Tsoamotse, was very grateful for the information she received.

“I wish I knew this when I was younger, long before I developed diabetes. But I guess it is never too late. I have since joined an active aging club where we do various exercises and motivate each other to eat good food. I’ve since seen a big difference in my health,” she said. – Health-e News.