SIBU: Sarawak has 160,587 diabetes patients registered with the National Diabetes Registry.
In Sibu Division alone more than 23,000 diabetes patients are being treated at government clinics.
Chairman of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Clarence Ting Ing Horth said some may have also sought treatment at private clinics and that there may still be many people out there who are not aware that they have diabetes.
“This low level of awareness is worrying but this is not only seen in Sarawak. According to the International Diabetes Federation, one in two people living with diabetes remains undiagnosed.
“There are many reasons for this. The main one is that the symptoms of diabetes especially for type 2 diabetes are often very mild that most people with diabetes have no clue that they have diabetes,” he said at the launching of a-two Diabetes Camp here on Saturday night (Nov 12).
The camp, themed, ‘Diabetes education makes a difference’ organised by Diabetes Malaysia Sibu District Branch (DMSDB) in collaboration with SEGi University drew 200 participants.
Ting who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s candidate for Sibu in the upcoming 15th general election (GE15) said diabetes is a common disease all over the world.
He said according to the International Diabetes Federation, it is estimated that one in 10 adults or 537 million adults around the world are living with diabetes, majority of these cases having type 2 diabetes.
He noted that Malaysia has the highest rate of diabetes in the Western Pacific region. According to the 2019 National Survey, one in five adults, or about 3.9 million have diabetes.
“The prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia has increased from 11.2 per cent in 2011 to 18.3 per cent in 2019. This 68 per cent increase is a cause for concern. This increase is due to many factors such as an increase in population, rural-urban migration, increased rate of obesity, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical activities.
“We have been told that type 2 diabetes is preventable and easily treated. If left untreated complications such as kidney failure, visual impairment, stroke, and heart failure might occur. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing the complications of diabetes and achieving healthy outcomes.
He was happy that DMSDB, in collaboration with SEGi University, Sibu Divisional Health Department, Hospital Sibu, and other NGOs has been very active in diabetes awareness campaigns, diabetes screening and providing support to some needy patients.
Earlier In his welcoming speech, Chairman of DMSDB Tiong Kiong King thanked all the participants some of whom came from as far away as Miri, Kapit, Sarikei, Betong and Kuching for taking time to attend the diabetes camp.
Sibu Divisional Health Officer Dr Teh Jo Hun was among those present.
