Heala conducts diabetes screening on World Diabetes Day
ROSEBANK – More people than anticipated showed up at the Heala offices for their diabetes screening as well as some educative talks around the non-communicable disease.
Recently there has been a lot of talk and campaigns around people’s health and South Africa has not been left out of the discussion. With 14 November marking World Diabetes Day, Healthy Living Alliance (Heala), an advocacy group which focuses on prevention and creating awareness around obesity and non-communicable diseases, invited residents to come into their offices for a free diabetes screening.
Executive director for Heala, Sibongile Nkosi, said they had started their work in 2016 when the minister for health had announced plans to put a tax on sugary drinks. “It is our first time doing a diabetes screening project and the targeted number of people was 30, however, a lot more than that have come in. We have partnered with 61 schools in Gauteng to create awareness drives there.”
She added that for the day they had collaborated with Clicks Pharmacy and Netcare Rosebank Hospital. Netcare Rosebank Hospital nurse, Diane Entcheu, told the screening candidates that the normal insulin scale was from 2,5 to 7,5 but anything above that required the candidate to be referred to practitioners.
Another Netcare Rosebank Hospital nurse, Floravindi Fleming said, “If one has a hereditary history of non-communicable diseases or chronic diseases, such as stroke, asthma and cancers, then they need to be regularly monitored because they are at high risk.”
He encouraged people to consume sugar from fruits, get lots of fresh air, exercise and cut down on carbohydrates. After the detailed educational talk, then the candidates had their fingers pricked and got tested with instant results on their sugar levels, thereafter being treated to a glass of fruity water or a fruit of their choice.
Details: Heala 011 880 0995
Email: info@heala.org
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