Commemoration of World Diabetes Day- Serowe

The village of Serowe came alive to the epidemic of diabetes on this day.  This marked the culmination of several months of work between Sekgoma Memorial Hospital staff, more particularly the diabetic and hypertension community at the hospital and the Heart Foundation of Botswana.  With the large turnout from the members of the community, the day began with a march from Boiteko junction to the main Kgotla.  Following the National Anthem and prayer, guests were introduced and entertained by the Kgotla Choir. Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane welcomed the dignitaries and guests to the Village and Kgotla. Urging members of the public to listen attentively to the experts that have arrived, he expressed his overwhelming support for this initiative and hope that this will continue into the future in a growing and bigger manner with greater public participation. Mmeisi Mmereki explicitly spelt out the objectives of the day, revealing that she too was a diabetic with heart disease and expressed her enthusiasm for working towards such an important occasion for the Village. The representative for the World Health Organization, acting on behalf of Dr. Nyarko was introduced to the Villagers.  Dr. Akim acting in his capacity spent careful moments both acknowledging such a large, successful and important initiative as well as explaining the priority that the World Health Organization was now giving importance to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.  Explaining the rapidly escalating epidemic across the globe, she emphasized the need for government to reflect more closely on these chronic diseases.  Providing shocking statistics such as the fact that over 80% of chronic diseases now actually occur in developing world set many villages aback.  It was this misconception that conditions such as diabetes and cancer were more prevalent in the developed world that Dr. Akim demolished. She went on to emphasize the need for access to education, advocacy as well as access to treatment for all diabetics.  Specifically thanking the Cardiac Clinic for its pioneering work in the field of chronic diseases, she expressed support for its activities and full endorsement from the World Health Organization. The morning session continued with the Chief Medical Officer from Sekgoma Memorial Hospital, Dr. Elis Kavuru providing academic and educational insight into the nature and causes of diabetes, indicating the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment both in children and adults. A spell-binding drama then ensued on the devastation that diabetes brings to a family.  The Mannathoko CJSS group kept the audience glued to their seats with their dialogues.  This was followed by a captivating and persuasive testimony of a 14-year insulin dependent diabetic, Ponatshego Kgosietsile.  He explained how his diagnosis and his therapy has now affected his life both in terms of normalizing his day-to-day activities but also the impact that has had on his day-today activities. Following this, the guest speaker for the day, Consultant Cardiologist and Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Professor Kiran Bhagat maintained the emphasis on chronic diseases in general.  He emphasized the principles and power of prevention with respect to diabetes and heart disease.  Providing startling statistics on the total number of the World’s population affected by the diabetes, (presently over 180 million) and by heart disease (presently over 1.8 billion).   Referring to the upcoming commemoration of World AIDS Day, he expressed a firm wish for the public to share some of their focus on conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.  Referring to the four pillars of healthy lifestyle (exercise and reduction in salt, sugar and fat) he maintained that following these principles in childhood would prevent much of the devastation that is presently seen in the complications of chronic disease. Once again referring to common sense principles, (not commonly practiced) he urged members of the public in attendance to listen to their body, refrain from fad diets and excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco, salt and sugar.  He expressed his desire to see this commemorative day being maintained in the minds of the public on a lifelong basis rather than to take it as an interesting day in the village’s life. He concluded by reinforcing the mission of the Heart Foundation of Botswana which was to educate, empower, engage and enable Batswana on heart disease and diabetes.  Concluding his speech he thanked all the sponsors for the event which had clearly contributed to a large and fully supported turn out.  The morning session was concluded with an energizing aerobics demonstration from the Sekgoma Memorial hospital group and a vote of thanks from the hospital advisory chairman Mr. Matseo Thata. Thereafter those in attendance went on to have their “status” measured and discussed.  These included pulse and blood pressure, sugar, abdominal circumference and body mass index.  Healthy snacks were available for all members of the public together with an abundance of educational literature. The Heart Foundation Botswana would like to send out special thanks to all the sponsors who made this activity possible being: Sekgoma Memorial Hospital, Cardiac Clinic, Novo, Diagnofirm, Spar Group, Choppies, Roche, Boehringer, Abbott, Riverwalk Pharmacy, Pfizer, Mascom, Barloworld, Modern Pharmacy, Honeymoon Lodge, Yarona 106.6fm, Gabz.fm 96.2, Duma Fm and Mmegi.