A young diabetes warrior who lives in Emmarentia is out to save lives

Riyaadh Gani (19) is a diabetic who lives in Emmarentia and attends St Johns College.

He was diagnosed when he was eight after his mother recognised some of his symptoms because his older sister is also a diabetic. Their mother Husnaa found this an especially trying time as she needed to check on both children’s sugar levels day and night, sometimes every half an hour.

Gani has lived with this illness for a decade and is living life to the full.He manages his glucose levels via an App on his phone and a fancy patch he wears. “I have a sensor on my arm that tracks my glucose levels which I check often, at least once an hour.”

When asked how he copes, he said, “To be honest, if it is managed well, it is not difficult to live with. It was hard at the beginning with so many changes, but now that I am used to it and it is second nature, I am not hindered by it.”

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He recently organised a team of volunteers to offer free glucose testing in Lenasia South for people who might not otherwise have access to the test as most lived in or near the informal settlement. The tests were conducted at no cost to over 200 people. Of those, 10% recorded high levels and were then referred to the local clinic.

Gani said, “Early detection saves lives and I hope we can do more community outreach soon to those less fortunate than me.”

According to The International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence of diabetes in South African adults is 12.8%. Over 4.5-million South Africans have diabetes. Additionally, more than one million citizens in South Africa are unaware that they have the disease. It is also a fact that socioeconomic disparities and other factors contribute to the prevalence of diabetes in South Africa. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.

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Gani hopes to significantly increase diabetes awareness and encourage South Africans to be on the lookout for these warning signs at all times:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Significant weight loss or weight gain
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores and wounds
• Frequent infections

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In the case of children, type 1 diabetes tends to develop quickly. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination, possibly even bed-wetting
• Increased hunger
• Sudden and unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Behaviour changes and irritability
• Fruity-smelling breath

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