Diabetes mellitus was, for a long time,
perceived as an illness of little consequence. People shrugged their
shoulders when told that they had diabetes. Now we know better. It is
the root cause of devastating conditions including blindness, heart
attack, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, impotence and others.
Though it is widely accepted that we are living in an epidemic of
diabetes, we were surprised by the most recent morbidity study by the
Ministry of Health Malaysia ( 2012 ), where the prevalence of diabetes
mellitus in Malaysia was reported to have climbed to 21% of the
population. The size of the problem is certainly alarming, every one in
five persons is a diabetic. This contributes to a big economic
commitment to the country having to shoulder a big medical bill. There
is also significant loss of manpower, frustration and suffering among
those affected.
In the
late 1970s, it was noted that the prevalence of diabetes was fast rising
among people in Sarawak. This trend was seen also in Peninsula Malaysia
and other parts of the world. It is a universal epidemic. The
prevalence of diabetes in the early 1970s in the state was a mere 3% of
the population. It rose to 5% in the late ‘70s, and continued rising
further. In that period, the state and in fact the whole country was
fast urbanizing. Supermarkets and big shopping centers selling food
from all over the world started to appear. shopping became most
convenient. Fast food outlets mushroomed, selling ‘high carb’ food and
high sugar drinks everywhere. Outlets were sited for your convenience
and well advertised. Admittedly, these foods are tasty, inexpensive and
most convenient. It also serves as reward and inducement for children,
socializing for peers and guests alike and a convenient lunch break for
office staff. Dietary pattern changed and people turned to high-calorie
fast food.
Urbanisation
also meant good roads, good transportation, good television programs,
and personal entertainment. It follows that people exercised much less.
All these meant a marked increase in the overweight and obesity problem,
leading to diabetes and hypertension, among others.
This
transition attracted a lot of attention, and in 1980, a group of
physicians in the Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching including the then
senior physician in the hospital Dato Dr. Sim Swee Liang, together with
another physician, Dr. Sng Kim Hock and yet another physician, Dr. Ng
Leong Fook to form what was known as Sarawak Diabetes Association. This
body was at that time based in Sarawak General Hospital itself. A local
philanthropist Dato Ang Lai Soon became the first Chairman of the
Association. Dato Dr. Sim became the first Vice Chairman.
The
association was aware that though almost everybody has heard of
diabetes, very few has in-depth knowledge of the condition. Very few
knew of the many unwanted effects if can have on them. The Association
embarked on the task of diabetes screening and education for the public.
Proficiency in dealing with diabetes among the medical community also
needed to be upgraded and given adequate stress. Complications of
diabetes need to be prevented. Diabetes was more that just passing sweet
urine.
In 1981,
the National body of Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia was set up in Kuala
Lumpur. After discussions, it was agreed to merge, and we became the
Sarawak Branch of Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia. The thirteen states in
Malaysia as well as Wilayah made up the Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia
Council with the first President being Prof. Chan Siew Pheng
