KUCHING: Some 114 people died of stroke at government hospitals in Sarawak last year because of such reasons as high blood pressure, heart diseases, smoking and diabetes.
However, 652 patients who were admitted for stroke were discharged from hospitals.
Disclosing this, state public health Assistant Minister Dr Soon Choon Teck said: “Getting a stroke is quite a frightening thing, as your arms suddenly refuse to move and you may not be able to speak.”
Launching the state-level World Stroke Day at the Sarawak United People’s Party auditorium here yesterday, he advised the people to go for regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks.
Dr Soon also advised them to watch their diet and not to overeat.
“We see a lot of people today are overweight. We tend to eat more than needed.”
He said it was vital that people make an effort to lead a healthy lifestyle and to have regular exercise to stimulate blood circulation and keep the heart healthy.
He said statistics showed that one in every four Malaysians smoked and 30% of non-Muslim Malaysians consumed alcoholic drinks.
State health director Dr Yao Sik Chi said 13 special clinics for diabetes and 82 integrated clinics for diabetes had been set up in the state.
“These clinics focus on public education and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and stroke,” he said, adding that smoking was banned at 17 government clinics.
Did you find this article insightful?
