Market Trends of South Africa Diabetes Care Devices Industry
Increasing Diabetes Prevalence
The diabetes population in South Africa is expected to rise by about 2.5% over the forecast period.
The diabetes prevalence in South Africa reached 11.3%, the highest in Africa. The cost of diabetes-related health expenditure rose to 1,700 USD per person, estimated to be around 7.2 billion USD, according to IDF 2021.
Rapid urbanization, characterized by adopting unhealthy energy-dense diets and physical inactivity, contributed to the steadily increasing obesity epidemic. It is majorly with women in South Africa being overweight or obese. Obesity is a major contributor to the T2DM epidemic, with excess body weight estimated to account for 87% of T2DM cases in South Africa. In addition, these studies report high rates of newly diagnosed diabetes and glucose intolerance, which are associated with a higher annual risk of developing T2DM.
One of the main aims of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose levels within a specified target range which can be achieved by balancing food with activity, lifestyle, and diabetes medicines. Blood glucose monitoring readings provide the information required to determine the best management strategy for diabetes. The number of times people with diabetes who use insulin will check their blood glucose levels varies according to several factors. People with type 2 diabetes not using insulin may not need to check their blood glucose levels as regularly. However, they can find structured self-monitoring to be helpful.
One of the most effective ways to decrease the prevalence of diabetes in South Africa is to educate citizens and encourage healthy decision-making. South Africa is currently working towards this goal. One recent preventative measure the South African government took was implementing a sugar tax. By charging more for sugary drinks and foods, the government is fighting obesity and helping citizens make more conscious decisions. South Africa briefly launched a Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP). The DPP aims to integrate intervention treatments into a culturally relevant context through household questionnaires and group gatherings for at-risk individuals.
Therefore, the studied market is anticipated to grow over the analysis period due to rising prevalence and the factors above.
The Continuous Glucose Monitoring Segment is expected to dominate the South African Diabetes Care Devices Market over the forecast period
The continuous glucose monitoring segment is expected to witness a CAGR of more than 11.4% over the forecast period.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices are automated glucose monitoring systems that consist of a small device that can be worn on the body and held on by an adhesive patch. The sensor part of the device includes a cannula inserted into the top layer of skin and uses interstitial fluid samples to check glucose levels. Sensors are connected to a transmitter that can send data wirelessly to a dedicated mobile receiving device or smartphone. Using CGMs for people with diabetes and their caregivers and communities is beneficial for managing their blood glucose and insulin levels to maintain their health outcomes. CGM makes it significantly easier to manage blood glucose levels by decreasing interruptions and allowing for better sleep. It also improves the mental health of patients or caregivers by reducing the overall mental load of managing diabetes, thereby enhancing the market prospects in the coming years.
Diabetes South Africa (DSA), the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA), and Youth with Diabetes are the various organizations in South Africa working towards helping diabetes patients. DSA is a nonprofit that centers around mobilizing volunteers to demand better treatment for those with diabetes and focuses on educating citizens and lobbying the government for better facilities and cheaper healthcare. Further, SEMDSA researches the genetic sources and causes of diabetes. This organization also promotes high treatment standards and encourages the widespread availability of medicine. The organizations are promoting the allocation of an increased budget dedicated to funding all aspects of diabetes care and providing a system for better coordination with the Council of Medical Schemes, the organization in charge of reimbursement, to limit out-of-pocket payments and prevent increased expenditure for patients.
Furthermore, the current continuous glucose monitoring devices can either display the trends in blood glucose levels by downloading the data or give a real-time picture of glucose levels through receiver displays. Continuous glucose monitoring devices are becoming cheaper with the advent of new technologies, like cell phone integration, which is likely to drive the segment.
