WATCH: CDE educates the public on World Diabetes Day

Every year, all over the world, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) celebrates World Diabetes Day to promote the importance of taking co-ordinated and concerted action to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue.

A selection of specialist healthcare professionals interacted with the public where they measured blood pressure and tested blood sugar levels at no cost.

LISTEN: Rosemary Flynn, a psychologist from the Centre of Diabetes and Endocrinology, in an exclusive interview with the North Eastern Tribune on World Diabetes Day 2015:

Michael Brown, head of CDE Media and Publishing/Clinical Consultant, said it was crucial that people get checked before the pandemic escalates.

“This is an international day to bring awareness of diabetes to the world’s population, it is a major pandemic. The main message today is to encourage people to go for check-ups, especially those suffering from type two diabetes as it has no symptoms. It is very important that you get checked early,” he said.

According to Professor Larry Distiller, founder of CDE, there are more than four million adults with diabetes in South Africa, about half of whom are undiagnosed and don’t know that they have it.

WATCH: Michael Brown of the Centre for Endocrinology in an exclusive interview with the North Eastern Tribune:

“The goal of the CDE is to develop a community that understands diabetes, to provide education that will help to reduce the burden of diabetes on the country and to empower people with diabetes to manage their condition themselves,” said Distiller.

This year’s World Diabetes Day campaign highlighted the importance of healthy eating as a key factor in the fight against diabetes.