ALARMING RISE IN NUMBER OF DIABETICS IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The number of diabetics in the country has
increased by almost 80 per cent in the last 10 years from 1996-2006 to 1.4
million adults above the age of 30.

Director-General of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said what was
alarming was that almost 36 per cent of them were undiagnosed, resulting in
complications later on and would require more intensive medical care, putting
great strain on the existing overstretched health services.

In his monthly column in the latest Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)
newsletter, he said lifestyle related changes were the main factors influencing
the increase of diabetes in the country.

He said lifestyle modifications like weight loss, changes in diet and
increased physical activities would greatly help in controlling the disease.

Dr Ismail said obesity was another trend in Malaysia, since the National
Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006, showed that the number of obese had also
increased by almost 200 per cent over a 10 year period from 1996.


"This is a worrying trend, as obesity remains the foundation for the
development of diabetes, particularly in our population," he said.

He said the ministry had recently launched the "Clinical Practice
Guidelines: Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus & Acute" for health care
providers.

He added that the Health Ministry's initiatives to improve the management
and control of diabetes in patients include introducing blood glucose (HbA1c)
testing and the use of diabetes card for continuous monitoring.

Initiatives to screen for diabetic complication include providing micro
albumin testing kits at hospitals and health centres.

Dr Ismail said the government had allocated RM7 million (US$2.09 million)
last year for management of diabetes and hypertension in hospitals which would
be utilised to buy new drugs and testing kits.

--BERNAMA