BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA & ELLISIA TINGASS
KUCHING: Sarawak has among the lowest number of diabetes patients throughout the country.
Consultant Diabetes and Endocrinologist (Physician) of KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital Dr Lau Bik Kui said this statistic is based on the National Diabetes Registry Report.
“While Sarawak does not have a dedicated database on this, the National Diabetes Registry Report stated that Sarawak is ranked third from the bottom among 14 states.
“This means approximately 13 per cent of the population in Sarawak are diabetes patients as compared to 20 per cent or more in other states,” he said yesterday.
Dr Lau disclosed that in most cases, people are not aware that they are actually diabetic as they do not experience any signs or symptoms, adding that one in five persons in Malaysia is diabetic but undiagnosed.
As such, he urged members of the public especially those who are 40 years and above to go for annual health screening that encompasses diabetes screening.
“I always tell my patients to have the mindset, ‘I will eventually have diabetes’ so they must do their best to delay the onset of this disease.
“Diabetes is not a death sentence, through proper treatment plan it can be managed well especially in making changes in one’s diet and lifestyle,” he said.
Dr Lau stressed that diabetes is a disease that can be prevented through practicing a healthy lifestyle especially in controlling sugar intake in food and beverages.
