Nurses play a crucial role in supporting people with diabetes

Nurses are the first point of contact in the provision of health care to patients and play a key role in early diagnosis to ensure prompt treatment.

This year’s World Diabetes Day, which will be commemorated today with the theme The Nurse and Diabetes, will raise awareness around the crucial role nurses play in supporting people with diabetes.

According to Patrick Magodzho, acting manager of acute and chronic care in the City of Ekurhuleni’s Health and Social Department, nurses account for 59 per cent of health professionals. As the number of people with diabetes increases, the support from nurses becomes increasingly important in managing the impact of the condition.

“People with diabetes face a number of challenges and education is vital to equip nurses with the skills to support them,” said Magodzho.

Magodzho explained nurses are trained on non-communicable diseases on a quarterly basis.

Read: Diabetes in children

In-service training is also offered as and when required.

This includes up-skilling health practitioners on new equipment introduced to enhance the services offered to Ekurhuleni patients.

Diabetes can become a life-threatening disease with devastating complications if not treated early and managed appropriately.

The City of Ekurhuleni’s Health Department is urging families to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and seek medical attention if they experience any of the following:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing wounds
• Numbness in the feet and/or hands.

The municipality thanked its nurses for upholding their oath and serving residents with pride and dignity.

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