In honour of the late Roxanne Renèe Samsodien
The Samsodien Foundation NPC was founded in honour of Roxy (nickname), who passed at the age of 26 due to diabetes complications. She was diagnosed at the age of 16 with diabetes mellitus type two. The disease impacted her lifestyle significantly from the date of diagnosis. She had to check her sugar levels before and after meals and inject herself with insulin before meals and after dinner. She suffered numerous setbacks and countless comas relating to infections that others would easily overcome. Roxy loved everyone and helped people unknown to her. The Samsodien Foundation NPC, recognised as a public benefit organisation, strives to continue her legacy of providing disaster relief, outreach and inbound support and assistance benefits to all South Africans at no cost.
United Nations 20 December 2006
On 20 December 2006, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a landmark Resolution recognising diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2007.
The UN Resolution makes World Diabetes Day stronger than ever. It provides the opportunity for a significant increase in the campaign’s visibility and an increase in government and media participation on or around 14 November. In addition, the Resolution will ensure an even greater reach for awareness-raising activities throughout the diabetes world.
Predictions
According to the International Diabetes Federation, by 2035, almost 600 million of us may be living with diabetes. By 2040 this will rise to 642 million. The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes is associated with higher levels of urbanisation, ageing populations, more sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy diets, including high sugar intake. Although there is not much you can do about the first two; you can make sure that you get enough exercise and keep the sugar in your diet low.
What is the difference between Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2?
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and can be managed by means of insulin injections as prescribed by doctors and a healthier lifestyle. However, type 2 diabetes can be prevented and treated effectively to continue living a normal life. Three in five people with diabetes in South Africa are undiagnosed. And diabetes kills more people than TB, HIV and malaria combined. It is also the leading cause of death in South African women.
What are the Risk Factors?
Overweight or obese, Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25, especially excess fat around your ‘tummy’.
Plus, one or more of these factors
- Family history of diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- High blood pressure (over 140/90 mmHg) or cholesterol problems
- Cardiovascular (heart) disease history
- Diabetes during pregnancy or a baby over 4kg
All adults over 45 years old should have an annual diabetes screening.
What to do if you’re at risk?
- Get screened
- Make healthy food choices
- Get active
- If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
Medical Scheme Benefits
Diabetes mellitus is one of the prescribed minimum benefits (PMB) chronic conditions. Therefore, medical schemes must provide benefits for the entire benefit year. Medical schemes are allowed to use designated service providers (DSP’s) and medicine formularies to reduce the cost of care. In addition, most medical schemes offer disease management programmes to provide additional benefits and support.
Contact Phoenix Healthcare Consultants at the details listed below to assist you with chronic and disease management registration to avoid claiming from your medical savings or day-to-day benefits.
Phoenix : www.phoenixgrp.co.za Telephone : +27 10 443 9734 Get In Touch : https://www.phoenixgrp.co.za/get-in-touch/
Editor: Eleanor Samsodien Co-Chair
Sources https://www.gov.za/speeches/world-diabetes-day-2021-19-oct-2020-0944 https://sweetlife.org.za/3-in-5-people-with-diabetes-in-sa-are-undiagnosed/ https://3meds.com/blogs/449/World-Diabetes-Day-2021-Date-Theme-History–Significance.html
