South Africa: Diabetes - 'My Father Was Never Taught How to Use Insulin Safely'
[Health-e] Insulin therapy was prescribed to a Duduza resident without basic patient training. His caregivers were left unprepared for life-threatening emergencies. Community members who act as first responders describe the emotional toll.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects over four million South Africans, and it can be a life-threatening condition if not managed properly. A community journalist discovered that many patients with diabetes are not receiving adequate training on how to use insulin safely, leading to dangerous consequences. For 63-year-old Sipho Mhlanga, living with diabetes and managing insulin injections has become a frightening experience.
He was never given proper training on how to inject himself and often overdosed without realizing it. This led to seizures and hospitalization, where he learned the importance of adhering to a prescribed schedule. Despite being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2020, managing his condition has become a daily struggle, and his independence has been significantly impacted.
Friends and neighbors have become vital support systems during emergencies, but they too have not received formal training on diabetes management.
Written by urgent.news from Health-e News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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