THE government spends RM4.9 billion a year to deal with diabetes-related problems and estimates that 3.9 million adults currently suffer from the disease. 

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey also found that the prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 18 and above showed an increase from 11.2% in 2011 to 13.4% in 2015, rising to 18.3% in 2019. 

She said continuous efforts were crucial in dealing with the disease, including the organisation of SeDia Cohort, a collection of long-term data to understand complex interactions between lifestyle, environment, genetics, and socio-economic development. 

She told reporters this after officiating the Seremban Diabetes Cohort programme – a collaboration between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and International Medical University – which is the first large-scale cohort study focusing on diabetes patients.  

Zaliha said the MOH was reviewing efforts to promote research and development, and increase production of medicines in the country, including by involving various ministries. 

She said this would enable a reduced dependency on imported medicines. – Bernama, July 8, 2023.