Diabetes no longer ‘silent epidemic'. Diabetes no longer ‘silent epidemic'..
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SOUTH Africa’s response to diabetes is getting a technological upgrade, with the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) launching the country’s first national dashboard to monitor diabetes control in near real time.
The system, developed with the Gauteng Department of Health, national priority programmes and the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub, draws on laboratory data from across the public health sector to give clinicians and health officials a clearer, faster picture of how patients are managing the disease.
At its core is HbA1c testing — the standard measure of long-term blood sugar levels — with results updated within 48 hours. The aim is to help healthcare workers identify patients at risk earlier and respond more quickly.
“This platform transforms how we use laboratory data — from retrospective reporting to real-time action,” said NHLS CEO Koleka Mlisana. “It equips healthcare workers with the information needed to respond faster and improve patient outcomes.”
Until now, diabetes data in the public sector has largely been shared through monthly reports, often requiring manual analysis before being distributed to provinces and facilities. Health officials say that lag has made it harder to intervene early.
The new dashboard replaces that system with continuously updated data, allowing clinicians and programme managers to track trends and act sooner. It also gives health authorities a way to compare performance across provinces and direct resources where they are most needed.
The launch comes as diabetes continues to rank among South Africa’s leading causes of death, adding pressure on an already strained public health system.
The initiative also supports the country’s National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2022–2027), which aims for at least 50% of patients receiving treatment to achieve controlled blood sugar levels. For the first time, officials say, there is a national tool to measure that target in the public sector.
The NHLS said the dashboard is now accessible to healthcare practitioners across the country, with the goal of improving patient care and strengthening the overall health system.