HPE Students and Gamalete DHMT Inspire Healthier Living Through Diabetes Awareness
Healthcare education becomes more meaningful when students have opportunities to take what they learn beyond the classroom and apply it where it matters most - in the communities they will one day serve.
For Boitekanelo College Health Promotion and Education (HPE) students currently attached to the Gamalete District Health Management Team (DHMT), this became a practical learning experience as they joined the team in delivering a diabetes awareness session for people living with the condition and their caregivers.
The engagement focused on strengthening community understanding of diabetes, covering its risk factors, symptoms, possible complications and practical approaches to managing the condition in everyday life. Students also helped participants recognise common warning signs, including frequent urination, blurred vision, persistent hunger and unexplained weight loss.
Particular attention was given to Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form in the district and is often associated with lifestyle-related risk factors. The session also provided information on Type 1 diabetes as a lifelong condition, helping participants better understand the different forms of the disease.
Beyond sharing information, the session created an opportunity for dialogue between students, healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers. Community members were able to engage with the information in a practical context, ask questions and reflect on the everyday choices that can contribute to healthier living.
For the HPE students, the experience provided more than clinical or academic exposure. It allowed them to practise health education and communication in a real community setting, strengthening their ability to translate healthcare knowledge into messages that people can understand and apply.
The engagement reflects Boitekanelo College's commitment to quality healthcare education and training that prepares students not only to understand health challenges, but to respond to them in the communities they will serve. Through structured attachments and community-based learning, students gain the practical experience needed to become more confident and responsive healthcare professionals.
The partnership with Gamalete DHMT also demonstrates the value of connecting education with community health priorities. By working alongside health teams and engaging directly with communities, students become active participants in health promotion while gaining an appreciation of the realities that shape people's health and wellbeing.
For the community members who took part, the session provided knowledge that can support earlier recognition of diabetes, healthier lifestyle choices and better day-to-day management of the condition. For the students, it was another opportunity to learn by doing and to see how their knowledge can contribute to better health outcomes.
It is through experiences such as these that healthcare education extends beyond the classroom - equipping students with knowledge, practical skills and a deeper understanding of the people and communities at the centre of healthcare.