Elderly citizens across Mamelodi east in Tshwane gathered at Stanza Bopape clinic to celebrate world diabetic day.
The event was held at Stanza Bopape clinic on Thursday.
Patients and elderly people started with aerobics.
The clinic also conducted a health diabetics screening for all people attended the events.
Elderly people and patients were educated about diabetes mellitus and the importance of taking medication.
The day was celebrated under the theme “Access to Diabetes Care.
Stanza Bopape clinic facility manager Sister Mapitso Makgamatha told the Tshwane Talks that we want to educate those who are in denial of the diagnoses to be aware of the complication of diabetes mellitus and the event was not about the elderly people, but the public community at large we want to educate them about Diabetes Mallitus.
We are teaching them many things about diabetic on what they should take to prevent the diseases and how to prevent complications.
“I’m encouraging elderly people the importance of taking medication and honoring their clinic appointments,” sister Mapitso Makgamatha said.
She said if a person is diagnosed with diabetes, they are fortunate because they will take medication but there is no cure but it is controllable.
“I’m pleading with patients and elderly people not to deny the diagnosed of diabetics and they must accept it and they must take their medication as prescribed by the doctor or nurse,” she said.
She said if a person failed to do so they will have health complications such as kidney failure function and your vision will be impaired.
Many senior citizens find themselves going to hospitals and clinics because they compalin about their body anches.
“We are encouraging senior citizens to join aerobics clubs in their areas and live a healthy lifestyle and keep their body fit and healthy,” Makgamatha said.
She said exercise could help alleviate many citizens’ health problems and helps to keep them healthy and strong.
“We want to encouraged elderly people that are always behind closed doors to come join senior citizens’ clubs in their communities,” councilor Pinky Lelaka said.
She said we can learn a lot from our elderly people and it is always a pleasure to be around them at all times.
“We have learned a lot about diabetic disease and we will spread the message to our communities,” Phumzile Gama from Gauteng Age-in-Action said.