Residents run to raise awareness
Mogalakwena Mayor, Parks Sebatjane, exchanged his suit and tie for sportswear at a 5 km and 10 km race on Sunday organised by Folang Trust in honour of World Diabetes Day, that is commemorated annually on 14 November.
LIMPOPO – Mogalakwena Mayor, Parks Sebatjane, exchanged his suit and tie for sportswear at a 5 km and 10 km race on Sunday organised by Folang Trust in honour of World Diabetes Day, that is commemorated annually on 14 November.
“World Diabetes Day has become a globally-celebrated event in an attempt to raise awareness and on Sunday young and old participated in the race that started at the Mahwelereng stadium,” read a media statement by the Mogalakwena Municipality.
Adressing the crowd on behalf of Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Sebatjane said: “Healthy living starts with breakfast, that is our theme. As we commemorate this day, we must remember that we are in this fight against diabetes together”.
Sebatjane indicated that diabetes is a serious, chronic, debilitating and costly disease that imposes lifelong demands. He further said the government has run several campaigns emphasising the importance of regular physical activities, obtaining a balanced diet as well as the dangers of smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
“A healthy breakfast should help sugar levels not to get too high and should keep you full throughout the morning. While cereals and toast may be cheap, these options typically raise blood-sugar levels rapidly,” Sebatjane advised.
He said diabetes remains a life-threatening condition that has resulted in the death of people between the age of 20 and 39 years, which is the most economically productive age group. “If diabetes is left undiagnosed or if it is poorly treated, it can cause complications such as blindness, kidney failure, limb amputations, heart attacks or a stroke.
“You are your own ‘doctor’, you have to take proper care of yourself. Research has shown that physically inactive people, people who are overweight or obese, people who eat too much fatty or sugary foods as well as those who have family members with diabetes are at risk,” Sebatjane explained.
Take regular walks, assist with garden work, take the stairs instead of lifts; these small changes can positively contribute towards better physical activity, Sebatjane encouraged.
Approximately 6% of the South African population suffers from diabetes and many more are still not diagnosed.
“The department has ensured that the communities can access free tests for communicable and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, HIV, obesity, cholesterol, breast examination and pap smears at all our clinics and hospitals.
“The common symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, constant hunger, frequent urination, sudden weightloss and extreme tiredness.
“If you have more than one of these symptoms please go for a check-up,” Sebatjane appealed.
