By Takudzwa Josiah
This week Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Diabetes Day with health practitioners and patients emphasizing the need to detect the disease early and follow medical advice to combat the disease which has devastating and life-changing complications.
Health practitioner Fungai Gomba said sugar levels can be controlled, permitting the patient to live a normal life.
Another Dr Edmore Mahureva explains how the diabetes test work.
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe (MDPPZA) founding president Dr Johannes Marisa said they are taking advantage of gatherings to teach about the causes, and symptoms of Diabetes to ensure the disease is combated; he also shared the complications which include kidney failure, blindness and amputation.
A patient who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is important to take medical advice and follow it to the letter to ensure level are controlled.
According to Zimbabwe’s Health Ministry, diabetes is among some of the non-communicable diseases that include heart and high blood pressure that are affecting Zimbabweans in larger proportions.
It is estimated that 10 in every 100 people have diabetes, and currently, diabetes statistics represent over 100 000 visits or consultations at outpatients departments per year.
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November each year.