KUALA LUMPUR: Primary healthcare providers are urged to support public hospitals and tertiary healthcare facilities to combat the rising incidence of diabetes among Malaysians, says Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli.
The Deputy Health director-general highlighted the efforts of Diabetes Malaysia (previously Malaysian Diabetes Association), for its self-funded initiatives to support the public healthcare system.
"Diabetes Malaysia consistently supports diabetes programmes through its national branch, 14 state branches and 36 district branches, with over 12,000 active members.
"The organisation was formed in 1981 to promote diabetes care through awareness, prevention, education and management of diabetes for patients, their carers and the general public," she said in a speech read by Health Ministry disease control division director Dr Thilaka Chinnayah.
Dr Norhayati said non-governmental organisations such as Diabetes Malaysia had helped empower diabetes patients with the knowledge to care for themselves.
Primary care involves basic health services like check-ups and immunisations at clinics; secondary care involves specialist treatment for more complex conditions and tertiary care is for specialised, advanced treatment like surgery provided by hospitals.
For reasons such as expert availability and costs, Dr Norhayati said new treatment options and management modalities for diabetes care are usually available at tertiary care or hospital level prior to primary care.
Dr Norhayati said primary care plays a major role in the screening of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes but the burden of primary care has shifted to treating diabetes and its complications.
"We are at war against diabetes. With more Malaysians being diagnosed with diabetes and its complications, we must continue our efforts to prevent diabetes while simultaneously delaying the onset of its complications," she said in her opening speech at the launch of the Diabetes Malaysia Conference 2024 with the theme, Revolutionising Diabetes: Bridging the Primary Care Gap here on Friday (Aug 2).
Dr Norhayati emphasised that knowledge should be shared and considered by all stakeholders involved in diabetes management.
However, she noted that ongoing challenges such as cost constraints, time, resources, and patient factors need to be addressed.
