KUCHING: Medical and health researchers at the Sarawak Infectious Diseases Centre (SIDC) have noted a "worrying rise" in non-communicable diseases statewide, particularly diabetes and hypertension among people in rural communities, in its ongoing disease surveillance programme.
The rise is largely driven by lifestyle and high-carbohydrate diets, they added.
Cancer cases are also increasing because detection is often late, they said in a media conference in Kampung Lubok Bunting in the coastal district of Gedong, some 88km from here, after briefing Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg on their surveillance programme and multi-million ringgit mobile laboratory.
The rise in cancer cases among people in rural areas is quite concerning, the researchers said, adding that many cancers can be detected early.
The researchers also found varying patterns in non-communicable diseases from one district to another.
In Gedong, cases of diabetes are high while in Sibu, it’s diabetes and obesity.
The most apparent disease on average is diabetes, they said.
"What happens now is most people know they have diabetes when they are already at a late stage.
"And because of that, people asking for dialysis centres are increasing."
The objective of SIDC's targeted healthcare and disease surveillance programme is to monitor public health, raise disease awareness and drive targeted medical research in rural and remote regions across the state.
SIDC medical teams and scientists utilised mobile laboratories to collect biological samples and assess local health conditions.
One common health issue among people in rural communities is the high rate of parasitic worm infections—often linked to walking barefoot in farms or playing outdoors—and malnutrition.
Abang Johari said the state-of-the-art mobile lab allows scientists and health experts to perform on-site field testing and directly serve isolated populations.
He said the researchers intend to analyse the gathered health data and leverage Sarawak’s rich biodiversity to potentially develop local pharmaceutical solutions and therapies tailored to regional health needs.
The SIDC programme has adopted a holistic "One Health" framework, emphasising community cooperation, hygiene education and preventive care over reactive treatment, the Premier added.
He said health policies and strategies must be tailored to data gathered from local communities rather than relying on generalised nationwide policies.
The surveillance programme is set to expand to other districts and divisions with a particular focus on underserved and rural populations.
The SIDC was established in 2020.
