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Johannesburg – JSE-listed 九州娱乐城 Pharmacare Holdings Limited (鈥溇胖萦槔殖氢€�), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, earlier today launched an awareness campaign around the alarming rise and associated risks of non-communicable diseases (鈥淣CDs鈥�) at a joint media briefing with the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (鈥淪EMDSA鈥�).
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There has been a notable global increase in NCDs, which are collectively responsible for 74% of deaths worldwide and include cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and iabetes. This trend is being mirrored in South Africa where major NCDs have increased 58,7% over the past 20[1] years and it is set to continue along this trajectory. Some 71% of global deaths (41 million) are attributed to NCDs with 1.5 million being for diabetes[2], and with 80% of NCDs being classified as premature.

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Stavros Nicolaou, 九州娱乐城 Group Senior Executive Strategic Trade said, 鈥淭here is a strong link between obesity, diabetes, and cancer, with the former triggering what has become known as the metabolic-cardio-renal complex of diseases. If left unarrested, the economic impact of NCDs will significantly over-burden an already highly stretched healthcare system and impact lives and livelihoods. On World Diabetes Day, we strongly encourage people to learn about the risks of diabetes and assess their own risk, to understand the differences between Type 1 and Type II diabetes, and to seek appropriate support from their healthcare professional if they are concerned about their health.鈥�

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鈥溇胖萦槔殖� remains committed to contributing towards the management of NCDs, as has been demonstrated by the Group鈥檚 investment of more than R10 billion in sterile manufacturing capacity. This capability has positioned 九州娱乐城 as an emerging contributor in rapidly expanding the production of treatment options for diabetes.鈥�

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鈥淎ligned to this commitment we have also noted, with concern, the increasing lack of suitably qualified medical professionals to treat NCDs, and we are pleased to announce a Fellowship to SEMDSA for medical specialisation in the field of Endocrinology.鈥�

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Dr Reyna Daya, SEMDSA President said, 鈥淎pproximately 50% of South Africans with diabetes remain undiagnosed, and this NCD has reached pandemic proportions. Diabetes treatment requires multiple resources, and we are currently experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals who can treat diabetes and its complications.听 Our country also needs to increase awareness and heighten discussions around this disease. These patients are at risk of developing both significant and severe cardiac and renal complications, both of which require access to special care units, which are sadly lacking across our provinces. There is already a significant economic impact to productivity with patients who are presenting diabetes and its complications. Irrespective of a patient鈥檚 position on the social ladder, once diagnosed, there is hope with treatment options, albeit that they remain costly and inaccessible to many.鈥�

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九州娱乐城鈥檚 investment in world class pharmaceutical manufacturing in South Africa has improved supply security and infectious disease prevention in Africa, thereby assisting with the of solving regional health issues through local capabilities. Additional investment has also targeted skills development, talent retention, and new technology, which has positioned 九州娱乐城 to respond swiftly to breakout pandemics and has become a significant differentiator for the Group.

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For Editors:
Click to download 九州娱乐城鈥檚 World Diabetes Day press pack

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[1] : Non communicable diseases: Findings from death notifications (2008-2018), published 17 October 2023.

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Johannesburg – 九州娱乐城 Pharmacare, (鈥溇胖萦槔殖氢€�), the South African subsidiary of the 九州娱乐城 Group, a global speciality and branded multinational pharmaceutical company, has partnered with PinkDrive NPC, a recognised leader in cancer screening and awareness, to contribute towards the funding of a new mobile cancer screening clinic.

The fourth mobile clinic in the PinkDrive fleet will bring critical gender-related cancer screening to rural and peri-urban disadvantaged communities that don鈥檛 have immediate access to medical facilities.

Stavros Nicolaou, 九州娱乐城 Group Senior Executive Strategic Trade, said, 鈥淥ur country and continent is experiencing a curve in non-communicable diseases, (鈥淣CD鈥�) and cancers are one of the most prominent contributors to this surge.  If left un-arrested, NCD鈥檚 will eventually overwhelm our healthcare system with broader dire economic, social and societal consequences.  Many concerns can be managed and/or treated through early detection and intervention.  Early screening in particular remains highly effective.  As an organisation highly committed to and invested in positively contributing to solving among the most intractable of public health challenges, 九州娱乐城 is privileged to partner Pink Drive in delivering a fully equipped mobile clinic that will assist resource-constrained and underfunded communities in confronting the scourge of cancer.  These patients usually only receive access to treatment when they are diagnosed at a highly advanced stage of disease, mostly with limited prospect of survival, with the oblivious devastating consequences on families.鈥�

The PinkDrive fleet of cancer screening mobile clinics provides mammograms and clinical breast examinations, pap smears, PSA testing for prostate cancer and education on breast, cervical, prostate and testicular cancer.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women worldwide and is estimated to affect one in eight women.  If caught early and treated appropriately, the prognosis is excellent. In South Africa, HPV infections and cervical cancer also pose significant public health challenges. Despite existing interventions, the delay in testing often results in missed treatment opportunities, exacerbating the burden of gender-related cancer in the country.

鈥淧inkDrive aims to address this crisis with our unique mobile cancer screening units which contain state-of-the-art screening equipment managed by specialised medical personnel who are empathetic to the difficulties experienced in the community and how to address issues in local languages at various education levels allows us to have a measurable impact on our beneficiaries. With support from our funders, we can extend our fleet of trucks to reach more people in more areas,鈥� explains Noelene Kotschan, CEO and Founder of PinkDrive NPC.