The 145 MediRite pharmacies in Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets across South Africa will offer FREE blood sugar tests from 9 - 14 November 2016 in support of World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated on Monday 14 November.

Customers are urged to make an appointment at their local MediRite, where the friendly and qualified pharmacists will administer blood sugar tests completely free-of-charge.

“Diabetes is a chronic disease where the body is unable to properly use sugar, in the form of glucose, for energy. Glucose then backs up in the bloodstream, causing one’s blood glucose to rise too high,” explains Razana Allie, a diabetes nurse specialist with the Diabetes Education Society of South Africa.

“Symptoms of diabetes can include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained fatigue, blurred vision and more. If left untreated, it may lead to blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and limb amputations. People with risk factors such as family history or increased weight, or even symptoms they are unsure of, are advised to seek medical advice and get tested for diabetes.”

Sr. Allie advises that healthy eating habits and regular exercise can assist with managing and even preventing diabetes.

Checkers is committed to the wellbeing of the communities in which it operates and has therefore developed a new pamphlet which will be available in stores from November, specifically to inform customers about the health risks associated with diabetes. The pamphlet also includes a list of over 100 products to guide those customers wishing to make diabetes-friendly purchases.