Diabetes: the epidemic South Africa can’t track

['Health-E News', 'Phumzile Mkhungo', 'Sandile Mbili', 'Polotso Thulo', 'Bernard Chiguvare', 'Thomo Nkgadima', "Health-E News Is South Africa'S Dedicated Health News Service", 'Home To Ourhealth Citizen Journalism. Follow Us On Twitter', '.Pp-Multiple-Authors-Boxes-Wrapper.Pp-Multiple-Authors-Layout-Boxed.Multiple-Authors-Target-The-Content .Pp-Author-Boxes-Avatar Img Width', 'Important Height'] Health-e News 2025-09-23 00:00:00

Diabetes: the epidemic South Africa can’t trackBy Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Chairperson of the Diabetes AllianceIn South Africa, diabetes is no longer a looming threat — it is already here, claiming lives every day. According to Statistics South Africa, diabetes is now one of the leading causes of death based on death notification certificates. For years, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas has been the most widely cited source of diabetes statistics. In its 10th edition (2021), the Atlas estimated that 4.2 million adults (20–79 years) in South Africa were living with diabetes. But considering the sheer magnitude of diabetes in South Africa, relying on fluctuating international estimates is no longer good enough.