14 Nov 2023

Batswana have been called to collectively empower themselves and their communities with knowledge about diabetes prevention, management and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in order to step up efforts to fight the disease burden as it grows.

This was said by Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Changi Baikai, at the diabetes commemoration day in Gaborone on Saturday.

Dr Baikai said evidence suggested that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), amongst them, diabetes were collectively responsible for 41 million deaths, about 74 per cent each year and the magnitude of the diseases continued to rise.

Thus, he underscored the need for concerted efforts in research, education and health care.

“Investing in diabetes education and prevention across all levels of health care in line with the revitalisation of primary health care in Botswana will ensure that the population without diabetes take measures to prevent diabetes and those with diabetes take measures to prevent complications and live longer productive lives,” he said.

Commemorated under a theme:  “Access to Diabetic Education,” Dr Baikai said the day underpinned the role of the ministry’s privilege of shaping minds and fostering a culture of health awareness.

He said their commitment to medical research played a pivotal role in understanding diabetes better, developing innovative treatments and ultimately striving for a cure.

He therefore called for dedicated work to contribute to the broader mission of improving the lives of those affected by diabetes.

Gaborone District Health Management (DHMT) Coordinator, Ms Kgomotso Moruisi, said diabetes was a silent epidemic, affecting millions worldwide and therefore called on the need to gain knowledge on how to prevent and fight it.

Ms Moruisi said education empowered individuals to make informed lifestyle choices and promoted a culture of prevention.

She called upon educational institutions to play a pivotal role in disseminating information about diabetes prevention and management, saying incorporating comprehensive health education into the curricula, could equip the next generation with the tools they needed to lead healthier lives.

“Let us also inspire action to create a future where diabetes is minimised,” she said.

The Chairperson of the Diabetes Association of Botswana (DAB), Dr Gontle Moleele, said the association was formed in 2001 with an intent to raise awareness on diabetes as a global public health problem. It also  offered support to the affected. Dr Moleele called on all to know their risks and response to diabetes and as such diet and exercise play an important part.

She also urged the public to take NCDs seriously and work on adopting a healthy lifestyle that would help prevent and manage diabetes.

The day, which was in collaboration with greater Gaborone DHMT, Princess Marina Hospital, DAB and Bank Gaborone, started with a walk and aerobics exercise.

Different stakeholders had also put up stalls for public education and screening of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, foot assessment and foot care education in diabetes, including oral assessment and educative talks on diet and screening for retinal eye disease.

Different DHMTs also showcased their services related to diabetes care.  They  offered health promotion education on various diseases. ENDS