SIBU: The public is urged to consistently adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of diabetes, which has now reached an alarming level.
Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Alice Lau Kiong Yieng said that managing diabetes is not solely about medication but also about maintaining healthy practices that will help improve quality of life.
“Healthy eating, regular exercise, stress management, and frequent medical check-ups all play a role. Let us work together to promote awareness of diabetes and heart health,” she said when officiating at the World Diabetes Day 2024 programme at Taman Tasik Permai on Saturday.
Lau, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lanang, said that diabetes is not just a condition affecting blood sugar; it also impacts the heart, kidneys, vision, nerves, and many other parts of the body.
“In Malaysia, nearly one in five people have diabetes, and this number is rising, with nearly half of these individuals unaware that they have the condition,” she added.
She noted that heart disease is the leading cause of death among those with diabetes.
“This is not just a statistic; it is a call to action for us. It is a call to raise awareness, encourage prevention, provide early screening, and support those already living with diabetes,” she said.
Also present was the director of Sibu Hospital Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu.
