Question NW2487 to the Minister of Health
03 December 2021 - NW2487
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
In light of the 2021 report on mortality and causes of death by Statistics South Africa that records diabetes as the second deadliest disease in the Republic, the killer disease more people than HIV/Aids, hypertension and other forms of heart diseases combined, the major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation, as well as the highest risk factor for COVID-19 patients, what are the full relevant details of the plans that his department has put in place in order to promote (a) awareness of the dangers of diabetes and (b) access to proper health care in the Republic?
Reply:
a) The Department has put the following interventions in order to promote awareness on the dangers of diabetes:
- The department has developed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on the signs and symptoms of diabetes, prevention measures and identification of risk factors. These materials have been shared with all provinces and are available in all the clinics. The materials are also used by the Community Health Workers as well as Health Promoters as part of the wider reach to the public. This is done as part of the routine services at all platforms, including during the commemoration of Health Events and at community campaigns. The target groups for these messages include vulnerable persons such as the youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
- The Department has developed material which is used by nurses to educate patients and promote health and wellness when patients attend routine health visits.
b) Interventions which demonstrate how access to proper care for patients with diabetes is created, among others include:
1. Additional to the interventions listed above, he department is also conducting screening for chronic diseases including for diabetes at health facilities as part of the routine services in all our clinics, at mobile health facilities and is offered at the general Health Counselling and Testing Campaigns during all public events.
2. The department has further developed policies, strategies and guidelines including Primary Care Adult, Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicine List on the prevention, and treatment of diabetes including on preventing complications.
3. The Department promotes that diabetes risks and care are integrated in the policies, strategies, and guidelines of other health programs to address amongst others: gestational diabetes and diabetes among TB patients. The integrated approach for diabetic patients with co-, and multi- morbidities is implemented through the Ideal Clinic service delivery platform.
4. The department also introduced the Centralised Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distributing mechanism which ensures that the medicines are available and reach the eligible diabetic patients at points where they live and work.
5. There has been training of health care workers at all levels to enhance knowledge of diabetes and risk factors as well as to improve competencies when treating patients.
6. The department has also strengthened home and community-based care and support of patients with diabetes by community health workers.
END.