A section of the public who attended the event.
A member of the public has his blood pressure checked at the event.
KUCHING: The government stands ready to provide the necessary support whenever possible to intensify diabetes education in the state, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said.
“Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a silent killer. By the time we feel the symptoms, irreversible damages have already been done to all of our body,” he said during the World Diabetes Day 2019 event organised by Diabetes Malaysia Sarawak branch at KTS Garden, here yesterday.
His text-of-speech was read by Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who represented the chief minister to officiate the event.
Abang Johari said one in two people suffering from diabetes is unaware of their condition, but pointed out that if the disease is properly controlled, complications such as kidney failure, blindness, leg ulcers and stroke can be avoided.
He also expressed gratitude to Diabetes Malaysia Sarawak branch for contributing to society by holding blood sugar tests in the city and outskirts, and welcomed the association to provide feedback to the government in the fight against diabetes.
Dr Sim, meanwhile, thanked those who had been working tirelessly behind the scene to spread awareness on diabetes.
“Through the ‘blue-ing’ of the Darul Hana Bridge at Kuching Waterfront, it can send a message to the world that even in the jungles of Borneo, we also face the issues of diabetes and will continue to be a part of the global battle against the disease,” he said, referring to the bridge which has been turned ‘blue’ for four days starting Nov 14 in conjunction with World Diabetes Day.
Lions Club International Sarawak Region 1 chairwoman Helena Lim, who also spoke at the event, said diabetes is one of the five global causes of the organisation.
She shared that Lions Club International and International Diabetes Federation came together last year in March for the first time to organise campaigns to prevent the disease.
“This year, in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation, our Lions Club International is on a mission to make our mark by screening one million people for Type 2 diabetes,” Lim said.
The one-day ‘World Diabetes Day 2019’ event at KTS Garden was open to the public, who were able to undergo free health screening such as blood pressure and blood glucose checks.
See Hua Marketing Sdn Bhd was the media partner for the event.