In a bold initiative to empower South Africans living with diabetes, Sweet Life Diabetes Community, in partnership with the National Department of Health, is rolling out a new campaign aimed at illuminating the rights of those affected by this chronic condition.
It is explained that diabetes management requires constant vigilance and access to adequate resources, it is vital for patients to be informed about their healthcare rights.
Diabetes is not merely a condition that you manage sporadically; it demands continuous attention. According to Bridget McNulty, CEO and co-founder of Sweet Life, most individuals with diabetes may only see a healthcare professional for approximately two hours each year.
That leaves them with the responsibility of managing their diabetes for the remaining 8,758 hours. Ensuring that they understand their rights is a critical step in equipping them with the tools they need for effective self-management.
The newly created, easily shareable graphics aim to break down these rights, making them accessible to everyone. McNulty highlights that far too many individuals are unaware of what they can legally request from public clinics and hospitals, such as essential medication, testing strips, and annual screenings. “That’s why we’ve created this diabetes rights campaign,” she explains, indicating that knowledge is power when it comes to healthcare.
Collaborating closely with the National Department of Health, Sweet Life has mandated that individuals accessing public healthcare services feel empowered to directly ask for the necessary resources as outlined in the informative pamphlet and WhatsApp graphics. Professor Joel Dave, head of endocrinology at Groote Schuur and UCT, also contributes to the campaign, asserting, “Diabetes rights are non-negotiable. Know them, defend them, strive for equal access, reject stigma.”
Your rights include:
Access to sufficient medication for managing your condition.
Provision of necessary testing strips to monitor blood glucose levels.
Annual screenings to track health progression and complications.
This campaign not only empowers individuals to advocate for their health needs but also encourages a broader societal understanding of diabetes-related challenges, leading to better long-term health outcomes for all involved. McNulty urges all South Africans with diabetes to not only familiarise themselves with these graphics but also to share them widely in their networks of communities, dieticians, and healthcare professionals.
As the initiative rolls out, the hope is that as many South Africans as possible will benefit from understanding their rights, because informed patients are more equipped to take charge of their own health, effectively reducing the burden of diabetes on society.
Saturday Star