More than 2 500 leg amputations a year in KZN owing to diabetes
Six leg amputations per day are done at government hospitals in KZN
KZN MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has urged people in the province to get into the habit of getting screened for diabetes at least once a year.
Dhlomo was speaking in Durban last week ahead of World Diabetes Day on Wednesday.
He reveealed that 2 500 leg amputations are done at KZN public hospitals every year owing to diabetes.
‘We are told that six leg amputations per day are done at government hospitals here in KZN.’
The MEC said diabetes, alongside other non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and stroke have become a major problem.
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‘We all must therefore try and increase awareness about these diseases and make lifestyle adjustments.
‘Regular exercise, getting rid of bad habits such as smoking, alcohol and substance abuse and following healthy and balanced diets, can delay the onset of diabetes and these other diseases,’ Dhlomo said.
He warned that those who have been diagnosed with diabetes, or have a family history of it, should become more knowledgeable about the disease.
‘Each and every person must know about diabetes.’
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