Francistown Academic Hospital highlight the dangers of diabetes
Francistown Academic Hospital (FAH) held a Wellness Day at Galo Mall over the weekend to sensitize people on the dangers of diabetes.
The private hospital, located on the outskirts of Francistown along the A1 highway, conducted free health checks for both high-blood pressure and diabetes ahead of World Diabetes Day on Sunday 14 November.
This year’s commemoration will be held under the theme ‘Access to Diabetic Care: Focusing on the importance of improving access to diabetes care for all and the need for action to prevent diabetes and its complications’.
Speaking at the well-attended initiative, FAH Public Relations Officer, Sweedie Kgosidiile explained that in keeping with the theme, the hospital was committed to providing comprehensive specialist diabetic care.
“Francistown Academic Hospital provides a range of specialist health services, diagnostic services ( X-Ray, CT, Lab Tests) under one roof, and has a team of over 150 health and support workers who are eager to serve all with the primary objective being to alleviate suffering and disease in our area.”
She also noted Saturday’s event was part of the hospital’s efforts to promote access to diabetic care.
“As one in two adults remain undiagnosed, the wellness event includes a free health check to promote access to diabetic care. Through this event, we hope to provide information and support to all in the Greater Francistown and North East District,” she said.
Kgosidiile further pointed out that as the global Coronavirus pandemic rumbles on, attention has largely been focused on Covid-19, relegating other chronic diseases to the backseat.
“We wish to raise awareness of the dangers of diabetes. Timeous access to testing and diabetic care is vital to avoid getting sick with the disease and its related complications,” highlighted the PRO.
Shocking the boisterous crowd into silence, Kgosidiile revealed that in 2019 alone 4.2 million people worldwide died due to diabetic complications.
Urging those who turned up for the free screening to be vigilant, she stressed the need to speak openly with doctors and nurses if they are to win the fight against this global killer.
Kgosidiile also declared FAH’s intent to host similar events as they join the rest of the world in celebrating a century of the discovery of insulin.
The discovery of insulin has saved millions of lives. It is regarded as one of the greatest medical advancements in modern times. Before insulin, a diabetes diagnosis was a death sentence.
The breakthrough came in 1921 when scientists, Frederick Banting and Charles Best figured out how to remove insulin from the pancreas of a dog. They used it to keep another dog with diabetes alive for 70 days. Armed with this knowledge, the researchers, along with colleagues James Collip and John Macleod, developed a more refined form of insulin from the pancreas of cows.
