AWARENESS of the health risks that diabetes poses is still lacking among the public, says state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin.
She said according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019 by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the prevalence rate of diabetes in adults has increased in Malaysia from 13.4% in 2015 to 18.3% in 2019.
“I feel it is very crucial for us to send a strong message to the community to take preventive measures with regard to diabetes as it is a long-term disease which would bring about so much of complications.
“Perhaps we should fear diabetes just like how we fear Covid-19. It is a silent killer and most of the time the patients do not realise that they are inflicted with it,” said Norlela during the launching ceremony of ‘Blue Circle November’ via a Zoom meeting today.
Norlela also expressed her desire to collaborate with the MOH to initiate a map that shows the hotspots of diabetes cases in Penang to enlighten the community on this life-threatening disease.
The ‘Blue Circle November’ was initiated by the Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) in conjunction with the World Diabetes Day 2020 to raise awareness of diabetes among the community.
The one-month long campaign features activities, such as ‘#BlueCircleNovember Photo Contest’ , ‘Diabetes Video Making Competition’, ‘Virtual Dance with Diabetes 2.0’, ‘Facebook Live Health Talks’ by doctors and diabetes educator and diabetes screenings.
For the ‘#BlueCircleNovember Photo Contest’, the participants need to post a creative photo featuring items in blue on Facebook and Instagram with hashtag #BlueCircleNovember and a caption about diabetes.
Malaysian citizens, who are 18 years old and above, are eligible to enter the video making competition themed ‘Healthy Living and Diabetes’ with a registration fee of RM25. The registration is open till Nov 30.
The ‘Virtual Dance with Diabetes 2.0′ aims to help boost happiness and bring positivity among the participants and their family. Those who are interested are required to pre-register.
For more information, log onto to PAH’s website www.pah.com.my or visit their facebook page https://web.facebook.com/pahpg .
Meanwhile, the Diabetes Malaysia Penang branch chairman Dr Dicky Ng Teik Kee has made an appeal to the state government to light up the Komtar building in blue on Nov 14 to commemorate the World Diabetes Day.
“Komtar is now illuminated in red to symbolise the Covid-19 zone status.
“The state government can consider turning Komtar into shades of blue for a few hours on World Diabetes Day on Nov 14,’’ said Ng.
Responding to that, Norlela said she would bring the matter up during the state executive councillors meeting tomorrow (Nov 11).
The chief executive officer of PAH Ronald Koh also joined the zoom meeting
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
