Tens of thousands of South Africans are dying annually from diabetes-related illnesses, the Diabetes Alliance has revealed after its review of mortality data released by Stats SA showed that it was the leading underlying natural cause of death in 2023, accounting for 27 692 lives lost, reports TimesLIVE.
This was about 5.8% of all recorded fatalities – and the second year in a row that diabetes had topped the list of natural causes of death.
Linked to an average of about 78 deaths every day, diabetes was followed by cerebrovascular diseases, including strokes, at 5.4% of recorded deaths, while hypertensive diseases accounted for 5.2%.
More than 16 000 women die from the disease annually, but among men, TB is the leading cause of death, responsible for 5.1% of fatalities, followed by cerebrovascular diseases at 4.4%, with diabetes ranking third at 4.3%.
The Diabetes Alliance has now written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, urging government to recognise diabetes as a national public health emergency.
“It’s undeniable: diabetes has grown into an even bigger health crisis than many other major challenges faced by South Africa,” said Diabetes Alliance Chairperson and global health expert Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie.
Several critical public health determinants were driving this trend, he added, most notably type 2 diabetes, exacerbated by climbing obesity rates, nutritional transitions, sedentary behaviour, urbanisation, poverty and inadequate access to preventive health services.
The 2016 South African Demographic and Health Survey showed that 13% of women and 8% of men had diabetes, while 68% of women and 31% of men were overweight or obese, he added.
Piotie also highlighted a significant imbalance in healthcare resources, noting that diabetes receives far less attention and funding than HIV.
Without a national patient registry or routine monitoring systems, health authorities struggle to track who has been diagnosed, who is receiving treatment and whether patients are successfully managing the condition.
Health advocates warn that inadequate public awareness is worsening the crisis. They argue that without sustained education campaigns in both urban and rural communities, preventable deaths and severe complications will continue to rise.
Piotie said the National Department of Health should collaborate with businesses “to urgently provide evidence-based, localised diabetes education to stop more deaths”, and that it should no longer be viewed solely as a metabolic disease.
“Its position as the country’s leading recorded underlying cause of death should be treated as a national public health priority.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Diabetes dashboard a step forward for SA
Civil society unites to demand action on national diabetes crisis
SA facing diabetes ‘pandemic’ as cases soar among young people
At least 60% of Africa’s diabetes goes undiagnosed – global report