Large decrease in diabetes testing during Gauteng lockdown
20 August 2020
There has been a large decrease in screening and testing of diabetic patients in Gauteng public hospitals and clinics because of the Covid-19 lockdown, with 344 487 fewer patients from March to June compared to the same period last year.
This is revealed by Acting Gauteng Health MEC Jacob Mamabolo in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
According to Mamabolo, 583 900 patients were screened and tested for diabetes at public health facilities from March to June this year compared to 928 387 patients for this period last year, which is a 37% decrease.
As a result of this testing, 10 405 patients were diagnosed and started on treatment compared to 18 085 patients last year, a drop of 7680 patients.