The killer disease claiming the lives of South African women

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Rebone Ntsie, Acting Chief Director for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Department of Health.

Listen below

It is the leading cause of death among women in South Africa.

If not treated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes and even limb amputation.

Men are also impacted, with the statistics showing that for them it is the second leading cause of death. 

In 2020, it was only briefly overtaken by Covid-19 as the country's biggest killer. 

"The numbers keep on rising, overtaking communicable diseases like HIV and Aids and TB as cause of death in South Africa."

Rebone Ntsie, Acting Chief Director for Non-Communicable Diseases - Health Department

The good news, says Ntsie, is that type 2 diabetes is preventable.

"We really want to put more emphasis on prevention and early detection."

Rebone Ntsie, Acting Chief Director for Non-Communicable Diseases - Health Department

Ntsie says the main causes of type 2 diabetes are obesity and an inactive lifestyle.

"[Women] tend to eat more and be more sedentary than males."

Rebone Ntsie, Acting Chief Director for Non-Communicable Diseases - Health Department

"Our diet is not varied enough...high calories, but not necessarily highly nutritious."

Rebone Ntsie, Acting Chief Director for Non-Communicable Diseases - Health Department

Ntsie is pleading with South Africans to make life-saving lifestyle changes.

"Let's watch our diet...veggies, beans, legumes. Let's also be physically active, those are the two main things."

Rebone Ntsie, Acting Chief Director for Non-Communicable Diseases - Health Department

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