South Africa Urges Early Diabetes Screening
Health officials call on South Africans to get tested as World Diabetes Day is marked on 14 November.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Diabetes
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South African health authorities urged residents to prioritise diabetes screening on World Diabetes Day. The Department of Health launched an awareness campaign encouraging regular check-ups, early diagnosis and proper management of the condition.
Why it matters
Up to two-thirds of people with diabetes in South Africa are estimated to be undiagnosed, and undetected or poorly managed diabetes can progressively damage blood vessels, nerves and vital organs. Early screening and appropriate care can help prevent serious complications.
Estimates cited by health officials put the global diabetes population at more than half a billion, with almost half unaware of their condition. In South Africa, up to two-thirds of people living with diabetes remain undiagnosed, and the exact national count is not given.
The players
Department of Health (South Africa)
The national government department responsible for public health policy and services in South Africa, which launched the diabetes awareness campaign.
Aaron Motsoaledi
South Africa's Minister of Health, who called on citizens to get tested early for diabetes and seek timely treatment.
The details
Diabetologist Dr Shaifali Joshi recommends regular eye, kidney and foot checks, and advises seeing a GP or visiting the nearest clinic if risk is a concern and no recent check-up has taken place. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi called on South Africans to get tested early and seek timely treatment, while departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale said diabetes remains a major public health challenge in the country.
Timeline
14 November: World Diabetes Day, when the Department of Health's awareness campaign on screening and early diagnosis was promoted.
Health Landscape
The campaign is a national activation of World Diabetes Day, the observance first set up in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization to press for screening and prevention. It translates that global call for early detection into a domestic push where undiagnosed cases remain high.
Regular eye, kidney and foot checks can catch problems before they become serious, and people who are worried about their risk can see a GP or visit the nearest clinic even without a recent check-up. Early diagnosis gives a better chance of managing the condition effectively.
The takeaway
If you have not been tested recently, book a check-up with a GP or your nearest clinic, and ask about eye, kidney and foot screening as part of it.
Further reading
Explore more on Diabetes to see how screening and management fit into the wider picture of the condition in South Africa.
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Have you had a diabetes screening or checkup in the past year?
