KUCHING: This year, World Diabetes Day will be marked with several activities, including lighting up the Darul Hana Bridge here in blue for three days beginning Nov 14.
Diabetes Malaysia Sarawak Branch chairman Dr William Voon said that lighting up the bridge in blue has become a tradition, as blue is the internationally recognised colour for diabetes.
“The idea is for people to notice the bridge suddenly lit up in blue and wonder, ‘Why is the bridge blue? It hasn’t changed colour before.
“So they start asking each other, and somewhere, we can let them know it is blue for World Diabetes Day. This sparks conversations about diabetes. And when people talk about diabetes, they remember the importance of managing it. Because diabetes often has no symptoms, or they appear too late,” he explained.
He said this during a press conference held at Diabetes Malaysia Resource Centre, Batu Lintang here on Friday.
He also said that the Diabetes Day was assigned on Nov 14 to observe the high incidence of diabetes all over the world.
“In Malaysia, it is the same. Our incidence of diabetes is extremely high. You can see we are talking about one in five persons has diabetes. In fact, if you add on those who are early diabetics, it can be much more than that,” he said.
He added that on Nov 14, World Diabetes Day 2024 will be launched at the Kuching Waterfront, featuring a Zumba session for the public at 6 pm followed by the bridge lighting ceremony at 7.30 pm.
“On Nov 16, we will hold a basic diabetes course meant for people who work with diabetes. On Nov 18, we will be launching our new free exercise programme for the public at the Travillion.
“This site was chosen because it is sheltered from the rain and sited in the middle of the city. Starting at 5.30 pm every first and third Mondays, it is hoped that office workers nearby can come for an exercise, dodge the traffic jam and go home only when the traffic eases,” he said.
In addition, he said on the same day, Nov 18, the Lions Colleges will also launch the nationwide Diabetes Awareness Campaign whereby all Lions Clubs in the four Lions Districts 308, which includes the whole of Malaysia will carry out controlled health screening projects as well as give talks on diabetes to identified areas in their locality.
“It is hoped that this will further improve diabetes awareness and reduce the impact of diabetes in our country.
“Lastly, on Saturday, Nov 23, we will hold another fundoscopy event for the public at our Diabetes Resource Centre to screen the inner eye of diabetics for damages due to the condition. It is free of charges for all,” said Dr Voon.
