Diabetes-related mortality is on the rise in South Africa, and the management of the condition remains suboptimal, even within the private healthcare sector – yet despite the high burden on healthcare resources, numerous cases go undiagnosed. Against this backdrop, the 2023 Diabetes Summit Report and Recommendations were recently presented to the National Department of Health following the 2023 Diabetes Summit held at the University of Pretoria's (UP) Future Africa Campus late last year. 

The summit brought together people living with diabetes, diabetes advocates, healthcare professionals, health authorities, government officials, policymakers, academics, public health specialists, private medical scheme and pharmaceutical company representatives, as well as nonprofit organisations, to highlight the challenges faced by people living with diabetes and contribute to improving their well-being.

Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Chairperson of the South African Diabetes Alliance and Co-Founder of the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre explains more.