(Below) A display depicting the amount of sugar in drinks at one of the booths during the event.
MIRI: Diabetes is becoming a “family disease” that can potentially affect every household, said Miri Health Department medical officer Dr Wong Yong Kai.
“There is a major lack on information on diabetes awareness among the public,” he said.
“Family support in diabetes care has showed to have a substantial effect in recovery for those diagnosed with the disease.
“It is important that ongoing diabetes self-management education and support be accessible to all, in an effort to reduce the emotional impact of the disease that can result in a negative quality of life,” said Dr Wong who was one of the doctors at a health screening booth set up during World Diabetes Day at Bintang Megamall Miri here.
Mayor Adam Yii who officiated the event said statistics show that the number of diabetes patients in Malaysia has surpassed the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s estimation that 807,000 Malaysians will have diabetes by 2025.
He said most Malaysians who develop the disease were Type-2 diabetes.
“This not only greatly affects the family unit but burdens our healthcare system and economy,” said Yii.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2018 is ‘Family and Diabetes’ with the objective of raising awareness of the impact the disease has on the family and support network of those affected as well as promote the role of the family in the management, care, prevention and education of diabetes.
Also present at the event were Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting and Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Khiong.
