Media should lead on diabetes awareness

20 Nov, 2016 - 00:11 0 Views

The Sunday News

Walter Mswazie recently in Chiredzi
THE media should help disseminate correct information on diabetes so that people become aware of how the disease can be combated and managed, an official has said.

An estimated 1,5 million people are said to be diabetic in Zimbabwe with 95 percent of the undiagnosed individuals not aware that they have the non-communicable disease.

About 415 million people are battling diabetes worldwide, according to the World Heath Organisation.

Speaking during a tour of the proposed diabetes testing centre at Tshovani Poly Clinic in Chiredzi on the sidelines of World Diabetes Day commemorations last week, Zimbabwe Diabetes Association (ZDA) public relations officer Mr Simeon Jamanda challenged the media to take an active role in raising awareness on non-communicable diseases like diabetes. World Diabetes Day falls on 14 November every year.

“As ZDA, we challenge the media to help raise awareness on diabetes so that people have appreciation on how the disease affects and can be combated. It is the media that can make the disease get a fair share of attention from Government and other stakeholders if you also give it coverage. Interrogate the subject further for the benefit of our population,” said Mr Jamanda.

He said his organisation, which was still fairly new, needed a lot of support so that its objectives to end diabetes can be achieved.

“The load before us can only be reduced if our stakeholders provide the necessary support and in this regard the media should show us the way. We expect the media to add value in this crusade as we want the information to reach a bigger audience.

About 415 million people worldwide are diabetic and Zimbabwe has about 1,5 million and if no one makes it known more people are likely to be victims,” he said.

ZDA president Dr John Mangwiro said a number of trainings have been lined up for both media and stakeholders in the health sector so that they can have an appreciation of diabetes.

“We have lined up training and the first one will be held in Bulawayo on 30 November. Media practitioners, nurses and doctors will be part of the trainees. The aim is to instill knowledge in our strategic partners and media is no exception. Once journalists are trained it would be easier to disseminate the information to the public domain and report about the disease from an informed point of view,” said Dr Mangwiro.

Meanwhile Tshovani Poly Clinic is facing acute water shortage amid reports that the health facility has gone for more than a year with dry taps.

The institution’s acting sister in charge Mr Mike Barura said nurses were finding it hard to carry out their duties due to shortage of water.

“We have spent almost two years without using running water at this clinic and that is a cause for concern. We are facing a myriad of challenges in discharging our duties as most of the work we do here involves the use of water,” said Mr Barura.

 

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds