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Health For Mzansi

Dietitian gives her all to help diabetes patients

by Noluthando Ngcakani
22nd April 2022
in Trending
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Stellenbosch University's Dr Joleen Cairncross (left), and the founder of the Great diabetes programme and dietitian Joy Williams (right). Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Stellenbosch University's Dr Joleen Cairncross (left), and the founder of the Great diabetes programme and dietitian Joy Williams (right). Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

A Western Cape dietitian is on a mission to empower and educate Cape Town’s kasi communities about chronic health conditions. With her base of operations in Delft on the Cape Flats, Joy Williams is the founder of Great, a diabetes programme through which she empowers patients to better manager the chronic illness.

The Group Empowerment and Training (Great) programme offers group support for patients and training for healthcare providers in diabetes. “Research has indicated that patients benefit greatly from group counseling sessions,” she says.

“The Great programme offers a new way of thinking and learning in patient education, specifically in the context of diabetes management,” Williams explains.

Williams tells Health For Mzansi that the project started in Khayelitsha and the eastern districts of Cape Town. The initiative was later rolled out in Delft, which forms part of the northern and Tygerberg district.

Max Ben says his health has improved since joining the Great initiative. Ben joined his diabetes counseling sessions online during the Covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

“I received training along with two other dietitians to roll out this programme. After the training, we went back to our respective facilities and implemented this programme by facilitating group sessions. After the first few sessions, we could see the difference it made to patients. We have started to train other healthcare workers who will become facilitators to support more patients.”

‘I felt valued’

One patient, Max Ben, from Delft says the programme made him feel valued and changed his life. In December 2020, Ben contracted Covid-19 and was hospitalised. Soon after his hospitalisation, Ben discovered that he had diabetes.

He knew he would need help to manage his new chronic illness and reached out to healthcare workers at the Symphony Way Community Day Centre in Delft, where he joined the Living Great with Diabetes Programme.

“I was very sick when I had Covid-19 and later found out I am a diabetic,” he says. “I knew that healthy living would be important. I decided to join the Living Great with Diabetes Programme.

“They called me and told me when I could join a diabetes group session. They taught us how to create a healthy diet and I have stuck with it since 2021 and am seeing the benefits. They have also taught us about importance of exercise, and I go for walks regularly now.”

“It is also important for us to take our medication as prescribed to better manage our chronic condition. I am much healthier now than before and I have learnt so much from this programme. I am grateful.”

Diabetes patient Max Ben

A challenge that proved difficult to overcome was the hard Covid-19 lockdown of 2020, when group sessions could no longer take place in person. This, however, did not deter Williams who was determined to continue the programme with her patients. She partnered with the Stellenbosch University to deliver tablets for each patient to join group sessions online.

Diabetes awareness means not only knowing what to eat, but also when and how much. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Planning for the future

The programme was first launched in 2018 under the guidance of Stellenbosch University’s Dr Joleen Cairncross.

“In 2018 Symphony Way CDC became a pilot site for the implementation of a comprehensive approach to patient education and counselling for non-communicable diseases in primary care. This was a collaborative approach partnering with the division of family medicine at Stellenbosch University, and the Collaboration for Evidence-Based Healthcare and Public Health in Africa.

“This is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). It is part of the initiative for strengthening research networks for health innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa and is based on the federal government’s strategy for the internationalisation of science and research,” says Cairncross.

Meanwhile Williams hopes to train more healthcare workers to bring the service to other communities, such as Elsies River.

“Our vision as a district health team is to train at least three facilitators per clinic to implement these groups in our healthcare facilities. This will empower our healthcare staff and improve their knowledge on the management of people living with diabetes.”

In order to manage diabetes successfully, most diabetics need to make some serious lifestyle changes. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Easy tips for diabetics

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. The good news is that diabetes can be treated, and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication and regular screening and treatment for complications.

Williams shares three tips for people living with diabetes:

1. Practice portion control, eat complex starches, lean meats, and increase your consumption of vegetables and salads in all your meals.

2. Exercise 30 – 45min, 3 – 4 times per week (150 min/week).

3. Use your chronic medication every day as prescribed by your medical doctor.

If you need support, visit your nearest clinic for counselling with a dietitian.

ALSO READ: Diabetes doesn’t have to be a death sentence

Tags: Covid-19HealthHealthy lifestyleNutritionWellness
Noluthando Ngcakani

Noluthando Ngcakani

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HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers