Looking at a crowd of people, you'd be hard pressed to spot the people with diabetes. They look like anyone else - and it's perhaps this fact that fuels public apathy about the alarming surge in diabetes.
There are between two and four million diabetics in South Africa and the disease is reaching epidemic status, according to Sue Frye, Durban manager of the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the Diabetes Association of South Africa (DSA).
"Diabetes is on a par with malaria and Aids as one of the main causes of death in this country," she says.
"It is the new pandemic."
It is also one of the major causes of premature death worldwide. Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes and death rates are predicted to rise by 25 percent in the next decade.
New data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) show that more than 230 million people, almost six percent of the world's adult population, now lives with diabetes.
Previous figures underestimated the diabetes threat and the total is expected to rise.
"Diabetes is emerging as one of the biggest health catastrophes the world has ever seen," says Professor Martin Slink, president-elect of the IDF.
"The diabetes epidemic will overwhelm healthcare resources everywhere if governments do not wake up and take action now."
Despite these figures, little political effort has been made and Frye believes it's time for diabetes to be recognised in South Africa for the massive problem that it is. One of the problems, she says, is that there is no registry of diabetics in South Africa and for this reason she is urging people with diabetes to join Diabetes SA.
"Only by people joining the association can we get an idea of the number of diabetics in the country," she says.
"Without this, our pleas to government for improved medication and support are falling on deaf ears."
Public apathy surrounding diabetes is a major problem and to raise awareness, high-profile figures are throwing their weight behind publicity campaigns. Writing in the Diabetes Association's magazine, Diabetes Focus, golfing legend Gary Player, whose son Wayne has diabetes, says: "I am seriously concerned at the lack of interest shown by so many people in choosing the right way to live.
In Africa, our greatest problem seems to be a lack of understanding of what diabetes is. In America where 18 million people have the condition, there seems to be a lack of interest - it's much more fun to lounge in front of the television or PC with one hand in the chip packet and the other on the game controller.
"We need to encourage our children to steer clear of junk food, eat healthily and take part in regular physical activity. Until a cure is found there is no alternative but to encourage youngsters and adults to live healthily."
The tragedy of diabetes, says Frye, is that it is a condition which can be well managed once diagnosed - but ignorance of the disease is the greatest problem .
"There are millions of diabetics who are undiagnosed," she says.
"Diabetes is not a death sentence, so if you are suspicious of symptoms, get tested. With changes in lifestyle and the correct management of the disease, you can live healthily for a long time. There are people with diabetes who run Comrades marathons, climb Kilimanjaro, cycle the Argus Cycle tour and excel at sport."
Diabetes SA fills a vital need for all diabetics through a national network of branches and support groups, which are invaluable for diabetics and their families. Membership costs R80 a year, which includes the informative quarterly Diabetes Focus magazine. At the moment there are two support groups in Durban and one in Hillcrest.
Others are planned for the new Diabetes Centre in Glenwood, Durban that opens on August 1. It is hoped that the centre will become a one-stop service and information centre with a 24-hour support line.
- Contact the KZN branch of Diabetes SA at 031 304 0369/084 717 7443 or fax 031 305 3894 or visit www.diabetessa.co.za