Diabetes Day commemorated in Gugs

Residents attended the Diabetes Day event in Gugulethu.

In light of World Diabetes Day, which was marked on Thursday November 14, the Gugulethu Community Health Clinic’s Health Promotion team held its annual diabetes fun walk for the community and its support groups to increase awareness among the residents about the disease.

Under the theme, “Get tested and adopt healthy lifestyles”, Gugulethu residents and clinic staff walked from the facility to NY 49 Stadium in Gugulethu, starting at 8.30am.

According to Ntembeko Napakade, health promoter at the facility, the run was organised to raise awareness about diabetes prevention, encourage diabetic patients to get active and live a healthy lifestyle and also to strengthen the community’s involvement in the fight against the disease.

“We are worried about the number of people who are diagnosed with diabetes. So on the day we also get involved and bring awareness to our people.

“This is annual because we felt that people should live a healthy lifestyle.

“After we walked and ran, we screened people to ascertain the difference before walking and after. Remember we had tests before they ran,” he said.

Mr Pakade urged people to have regular health screenings. He said it was important that people know their health status.

“This is one of the major diseases of lifestyle.

“It is worrying and people need to really take notice.

“We urge them to test at all times,” he said.

At the stadium, participants could take part in fitness activities and undergo blood pressure and HIV testing, and have Pap smears and prostate cancer screening done.

According to Monique Johnstone, principal communications officer for the Western Cape Health Department, they were conducting similar events in Mitchell’s Plain, Gugulethu and Philippi as well.