“Diabetes is without a doubt on the rise in Botswana, particularly amongst the youth. We felt this would be the most fitting beneficiary for the prize money from this year’s North VS. South Challenge as we wanted to shed greater light on a cause that oftentimes goes ignored. This is our gesture towards what I hope will be a long and sustained relationship with the Diabetes Association of Botswana as we work together to actively promote healthier, more health-conscious Batswana,” noted Associated Fund Administrators (AFA) Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr. Scelo Hlope.
The event, an annual observation, attracted members of BPOMAS, AFA, Diabetes Association of Botswana, and representatives from the Ministry of Health, with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho, giving the keynote address at the official opening. In addition, the Diabetes Association of Botswana offered free diabetes risk assessment tests throughout the morning.
The Diabetes Association of Botswana is a non-profit organization, dependent largely on corporate sponsorship and private donations, and provides diabetes education, support and care in Botswana. “We are truly grateful to BPOMAS for the generous donation being made and for having invited us to showcase our efforts at the recently held North VS South Health Challenge and Expo. Diabetes affects an estimated 10 % of the population, with 2 people diagnosed globally every 10 seconds, and the disease is very much on the rise even in Botswana. What we need is greater awareness and education amongst the general public so that diabetes is diagnosed earlier and that those who are at risk of developing diabetes are aware that maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can assist in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes,” said Joy Crosbie of Diabetes Association of Botswana.
Participants in the South, held in Gaborone, were named the ultimate victors of the North VS South Health Challenge and Expo, with their P 30 000 prize money being channelled towards Diabetes Association of Botswana as part of an effort to drive increased awareness and testing across the country. Over 1000 people from across the country participated in the friendly competitive Health Challenge in which participants from the North, gathered in Palapye, were pitted against those in the South, hosted in Gaborone. Runners up in the North will see the P 20 000 second place prize money being donated to Cancer Association of Botswana.
Concluded Mr. Hlope, Sales and Marketing Manager at Associated Fund Administrators (AFA), “We are pleased to now have the project come full circle, being able to now give back to our rich community in the form of the prize money from the winning team represented by the South. Knowing that over a thousand active participants were a part of making this happen and making a difference to our community is absolutely incredible.”