MIRI: Diabetes and obesity continue to pose significant health challenges in Sarawak, a point underscored during the closing ceremony of the 2024 International Diabetes and Obesity Conference, hosted at a local hotel.
Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak (Tourism), shed light on the concerning statistics from the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in his address.
The survey revealed that 16.8 percent of Sarawak’s adult population, approximately one in six individuals, are grappling with diabetes. Additionally, nearly 28 percent are affected by obesity, a figure that continues to climb.
“These figures are concerning, serving as a stark reminder of the pressing need for immediate action,” Ting articulated to an audience of over 200 medical professionals.
Ting underscored the multifaceted approach adopted by the Sarawak government, in partnership with the Ministry of Health Malaysia, to combat these health issues.
Key strategies encompass promoting awareness and education, bolstering healthcare services, and advocating for active lifestyles.
The three-day conference served as a valuable platform for medical practitioners to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration.
Ting urged attendees to translate the insights and ideas discussed into actionable measures.
“Each one of you, the participants, wields the capacity to transform the concepts deliberated here into tangible solutions that can positively impact our communities. Progress in research, care, and policy, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of those facing diabetes and obesity,” he asserted.
Ting also expressed his desire for participants to have relished Sarawak’s renowned hospitality and to have savored the natural and cultural riches of Miri, the gateway to Borneo.
The event concluded with expressions of appreciation extended to the organizers, speakers, and participants. Notable acknowledgment was given to Organizing Chairman, Jong Koi Chong; Organizing Scientific Chairman, Dato Dr. Fam Tem Lom; and Ting Chiew Moi, Chairman of Diabetes Malaysia, Miri District Branch, for their substantial contributions to the conference’s success.
Through its emphasis on fostering collaboration and instigating meaningful change, the 2024 International Diabetes and Obesity Conference has reinforced Sarawak’s dedication to addressing these critical health challenges.
