03 Mar 2016

Serowe Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) third year students have raised concern over residents of Masunga’s lack of awareness on diabetes.

According to Mr Pako Maikano, who visited Masunga for a short practical, stated that through their visits to Masunga clinic, they found out that some patients were in the dark about the disease even though they were affected.

Mr Maikano also noted that some patients did not know the cause of diabetes or its risk factors. He also noted that they were also concerned on how diabetes was being tackled. 

“Diabetes is a great concern even though it is not addressed like other diseases like HIV/AIDS and you will find it rare year in and year out that people are being taught and given the necessary information about diabetes,” he added.

Another student, Ms Onneile Tebele, stated that their primary goal was to increase knowledge about diabetes on the community of Masunga and the surrounding areas.

They shareed with residents on how they could take care of themselves as well as promote proper eating habits.

She said they intended to come up with ways and solutions on how they could help fight diabetes. She also indicated that through their visits to Masunga Primary Hospital, they also realised that there were patients who had already lost hope, therefore they tried by all means to help restore lost hope.

Another student, Ms Queen Bolathilwe, stated that they found out that some patients did not adhere to eating habits that they had been advised to follow.

She said their intention was to improve the lives of those affected by diabetes and make a difference in the North East District. 

She said even though they were trying to educate and shed light on the community of Masunga, language was a barrier especially with the elderly who did not understand either Setswana or English.

Futhermore, she also advised everyone to at least exercise and eat healthy to avoid being at the risk of diabetes. Ends