THE World Health Organization estimates that diabetes contributes to more than 5 million deaths a year. This makes it the 8th leading cause of death in the world and the numbers are rising.
Therefore it has become known as the “silent killer” disease or even referred to as the tsunami disease of the 21st century, killing more people worldwide than Aids and cancer combined.
With these statistics and concerns in mind, Lions Club International has taken action through their long term diabetes programmes which entail to support diabetes awareness, education, prevention, detection, control, and research. A person will not generally know that he/she has diabetes until he/she does a blood test.
Prevention is better than cure. That is why the Uitenhage Lions Club has arranged for free diabetic screening in collaboration with a local health care specialist from Momentum OCSA.
The purpose of diabetes screening is to identify asymptomatic individuals who may have diabetes and not know it, and refer them to qualified healthcare professionals for additional assessment.
The free diabetic screenings will be held on Saturday, November 10th at Despatch Superspar from 09:00 onwards.
Uitenhage Lions Club president Wayne Kilian said, “This is an effective way for us as Lions to educate the community about prevention and control in addressing this silent killer disease.”
- World Diabetes Day, an annual campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation, will be held on November 14.
-HEILIE COMBRINCK
