JOHANNESBURG – If you know someone with diabetes, you’re not alone. With over 4 million South Africans living with this condition (report), it’s a health crisis touching nearly every family. But there’s a wave of hope coming this November.
Hundreds of the country’s top doctors, health innovators, community leaders, and policymakers are gathering for the 2025 South African Diabetes Summit from November 11 to 13 in Johannesburg. Their mission? To transform how we prevent, treat, and talk about diabetes.
Why this Summit matters to you
You might think a health summit is just for professionals, but the decisions made here will ripple out to clinics, communities, and kitchens across the nation. The goal is simple but powerful: to ensure that life-changing diabetes care reaches everyone who needs it.
“We have amazing new medicines that not only control blood sugar but also protect the heart and kidneys,” says Dr. Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance, the group organising the summit. “The challenge now is to make sure these innovations reach all South Africans.”
The stats are alarming. According to the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre, only about 23% of patients have their blood sugar under control. This means millions are at risk of serious complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss. The summit is a direct response to this emergency, building on the work of a previous 2023 summit.
Who’s it for? A meeting of minds
This event is a true melting pot of ideas. It’s for:
The Health Heroes: The doctors, nurses, and community health workers on the front lines. (We celebrate our healthcare heroes! Learn about these health heroes making a difference here.)
· Policy Makers: People who can change the rules to make care better and more affordable.
· People Living with Diabetes: Their real-life experiences are essential to shaping better care.
· Every South African: Because understanding diabetes is the first step to preventing it. (The pandemic made health harder for many ALSO READ: Survey on weight gain during lockdown.)
A key speaker is Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, a top health leader from the South African Medical Research Council. He will help kick off the event, focusing on how to make cutting-edge healthcare fair and available to all.
What’s happening at the Summit?
Over three days, the summit will be buzzing with activity:
· The Innovation Showcase: A look at new tech and apps that are making it easier for people to manage their diabetes.
· The Big Debate: Tough conversations about how to get new treatments to the people who need them most.
· Fundraising Gala Dinner: A night to celebrate the champions in the fight against diabetes.
Your invitation to a healthier South Africa
Diabetes is a tough enemy, but it’s one we can beat together. The 2025 South African Diabetes Summit is more than a meeting—it’s a national mission for a healthier future. By sharing knowledge and pushing for change, we can ensure no one is left behind.
To learn more about the fight against diabetes and the organizers of this critical summit, visit the Diabetes Alliance website.
