People receiving free BP and diabetes screening during the celebrations
Increase Gumbo
CHIREDZI – Chiredzi district has for the first time hosted the 2016 Wold Diabetes Day commemorations, a move which is set to raise diabetes awareness in the district.
More than 800 people in the district were screened for eye diabetes and blood pressure for free during the occasion, thanks to the efforts of the Zimbabwe Diabetes Association (ZDA).
The celebrations were graced by various medical experts, Chiredzi district Members of Parliament (MPs), Tongaat Hullet staff and other stakeholders.
Minister of Health and Childcare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, in a speech read on his behalf by Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Amadeus Shamu, said the 2016 world diabetes celebrations came at a time when the discovery of insulin was made.
Two Canadian physicians; Dr Frederick G. Banting and Professor John MacLeod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923 “for the discovery of insulin” after they had successfully tested their new ‘discovery’ on a severely diabetic 14-year-old boy in January 1922.
“This year’s commemorations come at a time when medical experts discovered insulin which was given to diabetes patients to prolong their lives,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.
He urged people to take care of their health by eating green vegetables and traditional foods.
“I urge people to eat lots of vegetables and traditional foods such as madora and harurwa and monitor their eating habits while exercising every day in order to reduce chances of becoming diabetic,” said Parirenytwa.
Members of the public who attended the event urged government to make provisions for free diabetes and BP testing at all health centres in the country.
“I am also grateful that we received a training here on what diabetes is and from now onwards, I can monitor my health,” said Monica Chaguma.
ZDA president, Dr John Chamunorwa Mangwiro encouraged people to monitor their health since diabetes is spreading in Zimbabwe at an alarming rate.
Medical experts estimate that millions more people would be diabetic at younger ages within the next few years due to the rapid spread of the chronic condition worldwide.news
