Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has described the new Diabetes Centre as a milestone for the province.
Winde and Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo officially launched the state-of-the-art centre located at Groote Schuur Hospital, on Monday the 15th of November.
It’s the first public healthcare centre of its kind on the African continent.
Diabetes is the second most common cause of mortality in the country, just behind tuberculosis.
And during the COVID-19 pandemic, diabetics have been at greater risk of hospitalisation and death.
Winde says this innovation is welcomed.
“I’m very proud of the health workers who came up with the concept and here it is in reality. And I strongly encourage those of you who are Diabetic to prioritise your health. You can do so by staying on top of your treatment, as prescribed by your physician, exercising, eating healthily, monitoring your blood sugar, and staying hydrated.”
