Lim (left) presenting the cheque to Dr Voon during the cocktail reception.
KUCHING: About one in every ten Malaysians could be unaware that he/she has diabetes.
In stating this, Diabetes Malaysia (formerly known as Diabetes Malaysia Association) Sarawak chairman Dr William Voon added if those who have early diabetes were included, the number could be higher.
He cited the statistics from a recent survey conducted in West Malaysia which showed that one in every five people or 20 per cent of the surveyed population was diabetic.
“We believe that in Sarawak, it is slightly better. In this region, the figure is around one in six or seven, but it won’t be long before the numbers catch up if we allow that to happen,” he warned.
He said this after receiving a cheque of RM14,000 on behalf of Diabetes Malaysia from Harbour View Hotel sales manager Ronald Lim who presented it on behalf of the hotel during a cocktail reception to thank those involved in raising the funds during an event on Dec 15 last year.
Dr Voon pointed out that the metabolic illness was one of the most common causes of blindness, heart attacks and kidney failures and also went hand-in-hand with many other common illnesses such as high-blood pressure.
As such, it was crucial for the public to educate themselves about the disease as well as adopt healthier eating habits and lifestyles as preventive measures against the disease, he cautioned.
Dr Voon shared that the Sarawak branch is in the process of setting up a diabetes resource centre for members of the public at their new premises located near the Batu Lintang – Jalan Bampfylde junction. He hoped that the resource centre would be officially opened by late February.
“It will have all the necessary information about diabetes and it will be a permanent exhibit. Our intention is to allow everyone in Kuching and even those from outside Kuching to come to our centre and learn about diabetes.
“Every diabetic needs to be a little doctor of himself or herself. You need to know about your condition otherwise the treatment won’t be successful as the treatment involves ourselves – how much we eat, what we eat, how much we exercise,” Dr Voon emphasised.
Diabetes Malaysia seeks to raise awareness about the disease and also provides counselling and support to patients, their families and caregivers.
Meanwhile, Lim told reporters that the Dec 15 event last year involved the hotel’s departments and also outside sponsors including travel agencies and government agencies where they set up stalls to sell various items and foodstuff.
“The response was quite good and we managed to reach our target,” he said.
