Lifestyle diseases are placing an increasing burden on the health system, Gauteng health minister Gwen Ramokgopa said on Monday.
She was to tell the provincial legislature later on Monday that people needing treatment for strokes, diabetes and hypertension made more than one million visits to hospitals and clinics in the past financial year.
Strokes, diabetes and hypertension are in most instances caused or worsened by bad lifestyle choices, such as an unhealthy diet, smoking and drinking.
The minister was also to announce the start of a week-long campaign focusing on stroke awareness.
The campaign, undertaken together with the Heart Foundation, runs from Monday to Friday this week.
Strokes cause disability and are among the top 10 causes of death in Gauteng.
”Our message is that we know enough about strokes to prevent them by maintaining a healthy weight through good nutrition and exercise, and by making certain lifestyle changes, such as no smoking, reducing alcohol intake and managing stress,” Ramokgopa said.
As a result, convincing society at large to embrace healthy lifestyles is high on her list of priorities.
Ramokgopa has been allocated R9,2-billion to keep Gauteng healthy.
Part of that will go to establishing a dedicated division to focus on strengthening family planning, and maternal, child and women’s health services.
The new unit will monitor the growth and development of children under five, provide immunisation services, nutritional supplements and monitor obstacles to learning among school-going children.
Last year, more than 58 000 children in crèches benefited from the department’s integrated nutrition programme.
This year, R7-million has been budgeted for nutrition supplements, which are also available to poor patients with debilitating and chronic diseases.
Close to 144 000 school-going children were screened for learning obstacles. One in 10 was found to have difficulties that were impeding the learning process.
These included poor sight, hearing difficulties and poor nutrition.
More than 2 000 spectacles were issued to those with visual difficulties.
Last year, hospitals in the province restored sight to 3 000 people through cataract surgery and supplied 3 541 devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs and canes to people with disabilities.
Tuberculosis (TB), HIV and Aids continue to be major challenges facing the department.
The TB cure rate in the province is a low 58% and the department is looking at new ways to have a bigger impact on the lung disease.
Ramokgopa said the department has done well in implementing the comprehensive HIV and Aids prevention, treatment and care programme.
Targets set for last year were exceeded and the minister announced a 30% increase in the HIV and Aids budget, to R435-million in this financial year.
A total of R2,35-billion has been allocated to district health services to maintain and improve services in community health centres and clinics. — Sapa