Chronicle EditorBrenda Ziga Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Diabetic Association offered free diabetes testing to over 400 people in Mashonaland East to commemorate the World Health Day.
The World Health Day is commemorated on April 7 every year.
ZDA president Dr John Mangwiro said the organisation was offering free diabetes testing to people around the country.
“We are doing awareness activities on prevention and management of diabetes to people around the country and this is in line with the celebration of the World Health Day which is on April 7 every year. This year, the World Health Organisation is marking World Health Day by raising awareness on diabetes.
“WHO predicted that by 2030, diabetes will be number seven killer disease.
“One person dies of diabetes in every one second and in every 10 seconds one person develops diabetes. So with this diabetes has threatened to be a dangerous disease just like HIV/AIDS and that is why we are conducting these diabetes awareness campaigns and let people get tested for free,” he said.
Dr Mangwiro said the high cost of diabetes care had impacted negatively on effective management of the disease as many patients ended up defaulting on treatment.
“We are lobbying for the Government to recognise diabetes as any other dangerous disease and help us access the machinery to screen for diabetics, affordable drugs and maybe have an Act (of Parliament) that can say diabetics have their medicine free as well,” he said.
People who benefited from free testing said they appreciated efforts made by the ZDA.
“The ZDA is doing a great job in letting us aware of the diabetes. We were not aware even though some of us had symptoms and signs but could not know it was diabetes as our local clinic does not have the equipment to test diabetes,” said Mrs Viola Muswe.
Latest statistics from the Zimbabwe Diabetic Association estimate that 1,4 million Zimbabweans have diabetes.
Online Reporter
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