SA Unveils National Diabetes Dashboard: Milestone in Real-Time Disease Surveillance

In a landmark development set to transform the country’s response to one of its fastest-growing health crises, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has launched South Africa’s first National Diabetes (HbA1c) Dashboard—a cutting-edge, data-driven platform designed to monitor and improve diabetes care in near real time.

Developed in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Health, National Priority Programmes, and the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub (DIH), the dashboard represents a major leap forward in how health data is collected, analysed, and used to inform clinical and policy decisions.

From Delayed Reports to Real-Time Action

For years, diabetes monitoring in South Africa relied heavily on monthly Excel-based reports, often requiring manual consolidation and analysis across provinces and districts. This process delayed interventions and limited the ability of healthcare providers to respond swiftly to patient needs.

The new dashboard fundamentally changes this model.

By leveraging data from the NHLS Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) and integrating laboratory inputs from across the country, the platform delivers a near-real-time, nationwide view of diabetes control, with data refreshed within 48 hours.

NHLS CEO, Professor Koleka Mlisana, described the innovation as a turning point in public health intelligence:

“This platform transforms how we use laboratory data—from retrospective reporting to real-time action. It equips healthcare workers with the information needed to respond faster and improve patient outcomes.”

A Critical Tool in a Growing Health Crisis

The launch comes amid increasing concern from public health experts and civil society organisations over the rising burden of diabetes in South Africa, now recognised as a leading cause of death and a major contributor to complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and blindness.

For the first time, clinicians and programme managers can:

• Identify high-risk patients earlier

• Track HbA1c levels across populations in near real time

• Monitor treatment effectiveness and disease control

• Intervene rapidly to prevent complications

This shift enables a more proactive, preventative healthcare model—moving away from reactive treatment toward early detection and continuous management.

Multidisciplinary Innovation Driving Results

The dashboard is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration, combining expertise from:

• NHLS Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW)

• National Priority Programmes

• Department of Chemical Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand

This integrated approach ensures that clinical, data science, and public health perspectives are embedded into the system’s design—enhancing both accuracy and usability.

Strengthening Accountability and Health System Performance

Beyond individual patient care, the platform introduces powerful tools for health system oversight and performance management.

Health authorities can now:

• Monitor provincial and district-level trends in diabetes control

• Identify gaps in treatment outcomes

• Allocate resources more effectively

• Target interventions in high-burden areas

This positions the dashboard as a central pillar in building a coordinated, evidence-based national response to non-communicable diseases.

Supporting National Health Targets

The initiative directly supports South Africa’s National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2022–2027), which aims to ensure that at least 50% of patients receiving diabetes treatment achieve controlled blood sugar levels.

Crucially, the dashboard introduces the country’s first dedicated diabetes surveillance system in the public sector, enabling continuous measurement of progress toward this target.

Empowering Frontline Healthcare Workers

Accessible to healthcare practitioners nationwide, the dashboard ensures that those on the frontlines—from clinics to hospitals—have immediate access to actionable patient data.

This translates into:

• Faster clinical decision-making

• More targeted treatment plans

• Improved patient follow-up and adherence

• Reduced risk of severe complications

“By providing near-real-time insights, we are empowering healthcare workers to respond faster, intervene earlier, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients living with diabetes,” Mlisana added.

Positioning South Africa as a Leader in Health Innovation

The launch underscores NHLS’s growing role as a leader in diagnostic innovation and digital health transformation, aligning with global trends toward data-driven healthcare systems.

As countries worldwide grapple with the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, South Africa’s adoption of real-time surveillance tools places it at the forefront of modern public health strategy in the Global South.

A New Era of Data-Driven Care

Ultimately, the National Diabetes Dashboard represents more than a technological upgrade—it signals a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, where data is no longer static but dynamic, actionable, and central to improving lives.

With diabetes continuing to place pressure on both patients and the health system, this innovation offers a powerful new tool to save lives, improve care, and strengthen national health resilience.