SHARP RISE IN DIABETICS IN ASIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The Asia-Oceania region has seen a sharp
rise in diabetics with 138 million Asians including 14.9 percent Malaysians
suffering from the disease.

Director-general of health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said of 1.5
million diabetic Malaysians aged 30 years, 20 percent had to undergo insulin
therapy at health centres.

"The high obesity rate has contributed to the increase in diabetics. Poor
understanding among health staff in the treatment of type 2 diabetes stunts
disease management," he said to mark the launch of the 'Practical Guide For
Insulin Therapy' at 14th Asia-Oceania Endocrinology Congress here Friday.

Dr Mohd Ismail said in a statement that he hopes medical specialists would
educate diabetics on the proper use of insulin at early stage of treatment.

The ministry would train 200 medical specialists in one year with the aid of
pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis.

It would also come out with a guideline via an education grant.

"Many diabetics refused to start insulin therapy for fear of needles and the
stigma attached to them, complication like hypoglycemia, weight gain, cost and
out of shyness," he added.

-- BERNAMA