Malaysia has highest number of diabetic patients in region
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia has the highest number of diabetic patients in the ASEAN region, said Assistant Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Anita Baranting.
“Two out of five adults are obese, while one in every seven adult suffers from diabetes, and the two main factors that induce heart attacks are hypertension and high cholesterol,” Anita said after launching the Mini Health Expo 2013 at LintasanDeasoka here organized by the Seventh Day Adventist Mission of Sabah and Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
She said that leading an unhealthy lifestyle can bring about the contraction of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, cancer and stroke.
Anita stressed that ‘NEWSTART’, an acronym for nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, temperance, air, rest and trust in God is in keeping up with a healthy lifestyle.
According to her, there is an opportunity to have lifelong good health and a longer life expectancy through following the mentioned eight steps.
On the program, she hoped that it would raise public awareness on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.
Commenting on the 2014 Budget, the assistant minister said it is one to be proud of.
“I believe it is a budget that fulfils the promises made in the last general election. In Sabah, we welcome a large budget allocation, especially for the development of our State,” she said.
Free health check-up, screening and blood donation drive were held at the program here yesterday.
One hundred pints of blood were collected at the blood donation which met the target of the organiser.
“Last year we collected about 102 pints, so this year we were hoping to achieve a similar target,” said organizing chairperson Pastor Jim Gabu.
The blood donated by the public will go to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s blood bank here.
Pastor Jim said he hoped the health expo would help to raise public awareness on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially for those living in the city areas.
“We are also hoping that this program will familiarize the public with the concept of NEWSTART which is an eight-step plan that can help curb chronic diseases,” he said.
He further said that it is his wish for the program, which has been ongoing annually since year 2011, to benefit the communities living within the city area.
Also present were Queen Elizabeth Hospital director Dr HericCorray and Health Director of Southeast Asian Union Singapore, Pastor Danson Ng.
Source: Borneo Post Online
Published: 28 Oct 2013
