33,000 diabetes patients in health clinics around KL and Putrajaya alone

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Residents in urban areas need to change their lifestyle and food intake as the statistics from government health clinics around Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya show that there are 33,000 diabetic patients in the area, said Diabetes Malaysia board member, Dr S. Inthirani.



Without giving specific details, the former medical officer of Jinjang branch health clinic said the unhealthy eating habits would cause obesity and could lead the younger generation to suffer from diabetes.



"This worries medical practitioners... This is just the number of diabetic patients who came to seek treatment at the health clinic of Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya alone while the actual number is more," she told reporters at the launch of the 'Blue Socks Educational Roadshow Launch Agenda', here today.



Meanwhile, Diabetes Malaysia Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur branch chairman Datuk Mohd Shariff Osman urged the public to raise their awareness on diabetes and to identify its symptoms before it was too late.



"As a preliminary step, the public is advised to undergo screening tests because the disease (diabetes) does not discriminate age. Prevention is better than cure," he added.



Blue Socks Educational Public Roadshow Launch Agenda is a campaign to raise public awareness on diabetes, especially on preventive measures and alternative treatments to avoid complications on them.



Over 100 diabetic patients and medical practitioners participate in the program held at Taman Manjalara Community Centre, Kepong.



-- BERNAMA