Question NW3972 to the Minister of Health
14 December 2023 - NW3972
Loate, Mr T to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is the position of his department regarding the finding of the International Diabetes Federation that (a) the prevalence of sugar diabetes had more than doubled between 2011 and 2021 in the Republic, (b) approximately 4,2 million persons were living with diabetes and (c) by 2045 more than 7,4 million South Africans could be diabetic; (2) whether his department intends to take any steps in this regard; if not, why not; if so, (a) how aggressively and (b) via which programmes is his department actively containing the spread of diabetes and/or succeeding with the given programmes; (3) whether he will make a statement on the prevalence of diabetes and the implication it has for the South Africn society and its economy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a), (b) and (c) The Department is concerned about the growing number of people diagnosed with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% of all cases and is associated with obesity, unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or better managed when people make healthy lifestyle choices. It is for this reason that the Department is acceleration implementation of preventive programmes.
2. (a) The Department has taken and will continue to take serious steps to prevent and control diabetes. The intensity of the Department’s intervention in this regard, is amongst others demonstrated by the fact that the Department has for the past two years, used part of the Health Promotion Levy to provide tools to provinces to facilitate increased screening and focussed health education in the community and in primary health care facilities for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, and promoting physical activity and healthy eating.
(b) The Department has a directorate for NCDs, and national managers work with managers in provinces and districts to pursue the objectives of the programme. The programme is currently achieving its screening targets. Outcome targets will be measured though the WHO STEP survey which is scheduled to commence during the 2024-2025 financial year.
(3) No, it is not necessary to make a statement.
END.