SAMA warns of pressure on health system as diabetes now SA's leading natural cause of death
Mvuyisi Mzukwa, chairperson of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), said that the issue of Diabetes overtaking other major health threats to become South Africa’s leading underlying natural cause of death is a major concern for the country’s health system.
Recent mortality data from StatsSA confirms that diabetes mellitus has officially overtaken tuberculosis and HIV to become South Africa's leading underlying natural cause of death.
The data shows that diabetes accounted for 27 000 deaths in 2023 alone.
The figures mark a significant shift in the country’s disease burden, with non-communicable diseases increasingly contributing to mortality.
Mzukwa said the rise cannot simply be blamed on individual lifestyle choices.
He pointed to several contributing factors, including increasing obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and high consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods.
SAMA's chairperson also warned that many South Africans were only diagnosed once the disease had already caused serious complications.
MORE YOUNG PEOPLE DIAGNOSED
Another concern is the possibility that diabetes and other metabolic conditions are increasingly developing earlier in life.
“The earlier someone develops diabetes, the longer they are exposed to the risk of serious complications,” said Mzukwa.
This could have significant consequences for the healthcare system, with more patients potentially requiring lifelong medication, regular monitoring, and treatment for complications.
The International Diabetes Federation estimates that about 2.3 million adults aged 20 to 79 in South Africa were living with diabetes in 2024, with that figure projected to rise to about 3.9 million by 2050 if current trends continue.
The medical association said it's concerned that South Africa's healthcare system is already under pressure and needs to strengthen the management of chronic diseases at the primary healthcare level.
Mzukwa noted that Diabetes requires consistent care, including screening, access to medication, regular monitoring, clinical follow-ups, and patient education.
“Chronic disease management must be strengthened at the primary health care level so that patients are diagnosed earlier and managed before they develop costly and life-threatening complications.”
CALLS FOR ACTION BEYOND INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOUR
Speaking to Jacaranda NewsWatch, Mzukwa said tackling diabetes cannot be left entirely to individuals.
He argued that government, the food industry, schools, healthcare professionals and communities all have a role to play in creating healthier environments.
“Measures that discourage excessive sugar consumption, improve food labelling. They regulate the marketing of unhealthy food to children and make healthier food more affordable and should form part of this comprehensive prevention strategy.”
For individuals, Mzukwa said early detection remains critical.
He urged people not to wait until symptoms appear before checking their blood sugar, particularly those who are overweight, physically inactive, have high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes.
He said maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating a balanced diet, and limiting sugary drinks and highly processed foods can help reduce the risk.
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