I am declaring war on diabetes: Health Minister
File photo of a syringe: AFP
The language of the battlefield came to the fore in Parliament on Wednesday (13 April), as Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced a new campaign against the scourge of diabetes.
Gan cited figures from the World Health Organisation which showed that there are more than 400 million adults living with diabetes globally as of 2014 – a four-fold increase since 1980. In the Republic, more than 400,000 are living with the disease, and one in three Singaporeans have a lifetime risk of developing diabetes.
“Of those who have diabetes, one in three have not been diagnosed. And of those who have been diagnosed, one in three have poor control of their conditions,” said Gan. “Left undetected, untreated or poorly managed, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, amputation, kidney failure and blindness.”
Gan added that four Singaporeans a day lose a limb or appendage due to diabetes-related complications. The resulting burden is not just on the individual, but on his family and society as a whole.
The Minister also a cited a study from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health study, which estimated the total economic burden of diabetes for working aged adults in Singapore at more than a billion dollars a year.
“The long-term cost of diabetes, taking into account the psychosocial costs, is much more than this. We need to tackle the diabetes challenge. Therefore, I am declaring war on diabetes.”
Planning the war strategy against diabetes
The war against diabetes will be spearheaded by the Diabetes Prevention and Care Taskforce, which will be co-chaired by Gan and Acting Minster for Education Ng Chee Meng. It includes representatives from government agencies, the private sector, patient advocacy and caregiver groups.
Other initiatives to combat the disease include improving the dietary quality in schools, communities and the workplace, and expanding ongoing programmes such as the National Steps Challenge, which incentivises individuals to be more physically active.
The Ministry will also strengthen early screening and intervention to identify the disease early, while helping those with diabetes to better manage the disease. “The key partners in this war are the individual, his family and the community. Singaporeans also need to play their part by eating healthily, exercising often and going for the recommended screenings and follow ups. “
Gan warned, “The war on diabetes will not be a quick battle, but a long war requiring sustained efforts. Results of our efforts can only be seen in the long term”.
