Hasidah (centre) pressing the button to switch on the ‘Blue Light’ to symbolically launch the World Diabetes Day awareness campaign.
KUCHING – One in every six Sarawakians are down with diabetes as Malaysia has the highest rate of diabetes in Asia, affecting 3.1 million of the population.
Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, made the revelation when officiating at the launch of World Diabetes Day awareness campaign at Kuching Waterfront last night (November 14).
“What is alarming is that half of them are not aware that they have the disease. The disease has no symptoms and it can ‘silently’ kill nerves in organs like the kidneys, eyes and limbs. This may lead to kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation,” Hasidah warned.
Hasidah is very concerned because the figure involving Sarawakians is very high and diabetes has become a big threat to our society.
“Overweight and obesity problems lead to Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes. With computer games and handphones, people, especially our children exercise less. Most of our people are now overweight and many are obese. We are among one of the most obese nations in the world,” she said.
She warned that because diabetes is the commonest cause of kidney failure, blindness, leg amputation, heart attack and stroke, we certainly have a big problem.
“It is however hoped that by reminding you again and again, we can finally impress upon you the need to eat healthy and exercise regularly,” she said.
For those diagnosed with diabetes, Hasidah reminded them that these lifestyle changes are compulsory.
“Please abide strictly by your treatment and management regime,” she appealed.
World Diabetes Day is held on November 14 as the global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. Its aim is to spread awareness regarding diabetes and its bad effects on health.
Also present was Chairman of Diabetes Malaysia, Sarawak Branch Dr. William Voon Yu Huat.