Diabetes, a silent killer, is reaching pandemic levels within South Africa. With recent statistics placing the number of diabetic suffers at over three million, with a further five million considered to be pre-diabetic, the need for proper pre-screening is paramount. Pre-screening brings with it not only the opportunity for early diagnosis, but with that the opportunity for changes in lifestyle choices in order to prevent what can at times be irreversible effects on the body.

The International Footcare Foundation will be holding the first ever ‘Primary Care Conference’ in Cape Town this July. A registered NPO, both in the UK and South Africa, it aims to make available pre-diabetic screening for as many as 10,000 people. With funding and support from both the World Diabetic Foundation and local corporates, pre-screening will be carried out at a nominal cost thereby realising the objective of making it accessible to South Africans at grassroots level. Spearheaded by Joye Janari, born and raised in Athlone in the Western Cape and now residing in Manchester, UK; Joye is passionate about “bringing home to her people” the opportunity for cost-effective and accessible primary care.