Diseases of lifestyle pose a considerable threat to the development of South Africa

Symposium probes impact of non-communicable diseases on rendering of affordable healthcare           

           Thursday, 11 September 2014

Unhealthy lifestyles and poor diets are making more and more South Africans ill, and it is a problem that requires urgent addressing if we are to prevent it from undermining the development and sustainability of the country.

This was the view expressed by the Chairperson of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) Board of Trustees, Zava Colbert Rikhotso, during his opening address at the seventh annual GEMS Symposium this morning. Rikhotso warned that the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are responsible for more deaths globally than infectious diseases. Their impact on the South African society, economy and health system is "staggering" and continues to grow at an alarming rate, he observed.

"The World Health Organization has indicated that NCDs are increasing in prevalence most rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa," noted Rikhotso. "This is of great concern particularly as a Statistics South Africa report published in 2013 has already revealed that NCDs are also among the leading causes of mortality in South Africa, accounting for 40% of all deaths.

Rikhotso pointed out that NCDS had a significant impact on the economy and healthcare industry itself. "The Council for Medical Schemes has estimated that roughly R8 billion will be spent on treating lifestyle-related diseases in South Africa every year," he added.

Obesity, which is associated with the increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases, is also on the rise in South Africa. Indeed, recent research has indicated that 25% of adults over the age of 15, and 20% of children under the age of six years are classified as being overweight, while 20% of adults are obese.

"Besides the obvious threat of premature death and an increase in the mortality rate, the cost to the economy in terms of productivity loss is significant. Obese adult workers have been found to take 2.4 times more long-term sick leave, up to 2.8 times higher disability pension and a loss of productivity amounting to 7% more that their healthier counterparts."

Attended by more than 300 delegates, the GEMS symposium is considered one of the highlights of the healthcare calendar and addresses the most critical issues facing the sector. It attracts delegates from across the industry including policy makers, academics, business leaders, funders, healthcare providers, healthcare scientists, international perspectives and various other stakeholders.

The theme for the 2014 GEMS Symposium is: "Affordable healthcare through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and improved outcomes." A number of experts speaking at the meeting have highlighted the threat that non-communicable diseases pose to the future of the country if these trends are allowed to continue to proceed unchecked, and emphasised the importance of addressing the NCD menace while there is still time to do so.
Rikhotso observed that healthy diet and physical activity are major factors in reducing the risk of developing many NCDs.  Unfortunately he says that here too South Africa is not faring well. The Medical Research Council's Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle and the Burden of Disease Research Units has found that, on average, South Africans eat only half the World Health Organization's recommended daily allowance of 400g of fresh fruit and vegetables. 

"Combine that with the rapid rise in the consumption of fast and convenience food high in sugar and salt and the increasingly sedentary lifestyles of people, particularly in urban areas, and you have a bleak outlook for health in South Africa," adds Rikhotso.

So how do we turn the tide against these alarming trends that threaten to undermine the development of the country? Rikhotso says that it is important that the threat posed by NCDs first be fully understood by both policy makers and the wider public. This is one of the goals of the GEMS Symposium, which is exploring effective, proven ways of achieving the objective of affordable healthcare and improved health outcomes through adoption of a healthy lifestyle. 

"As a Scheme that covers 1.8 million lives, more than 300 000 of which are currently enrolled on disease management programmes, GEMS has chosen to take an increasingly proactive route in dealing with diseases of lifestyle," he added.

"GEMS is re-aligning its products, services and benefits to emphasise preventative over curative interventions to reduce the risks to its members. An aggressive drive to promote preventative benefits such as screening tests and a workplace exercise and lifestyle programme will be rolled out in 2015."

"As we share with you best practices, successful case studies and new, innovative thinking from around the world on the issue of healthy living, we hope to contribute meaningfully to the dialogue and start working towards a healthier, more productive South Africa," Rikhotso concluded.