MELAKA, Nov 9 (Bernama) — Melaka recorded a total of 123,468 diabetes cases over the past 11 years, from 2015 to October this year.
State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said on average, about 6,000 new diabetes cases are detected annually in the state, describing the trend as quite alarming.
He said of the total, only 43,791 patients are still receiving follow-up treatment at government health facilities, including public health clinics in the state.
“Melaka Tengah has registered the highest number of patients, with more than 60,000 over the past decade. This is mainly due to its higher population density and the figure continues to increase each year.
“Alor Gajah has also seen an upward trend with over 30,000 cases, while Jasin, though less populated, has also recorded a relatively high number of patients,” he told reporters officiating the state-level World Diabetes Day 2025 celebration here today.
Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, Ngwe said Melaka is the state with the second-highest number of diabetic patients.
He added that diabetes remains one of the leading causes of death in Malaysia, as many patients are only diagnosed at a late stage when severe complications have already developed.
“Although diabetes does not directly cause death, it contributes to other life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, severe infections and amputations, all of which increase the risk of death.
“A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, obesity and poor treatment compliance further worsen the situation,” he said.
Ngwe urged Melaka residents to undergo regular health screenings at government facilities, adding that the State Health Department remains committed to conducting screening programmes under the National Health Screening Initiative to facilitate early detection of non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes.
— BERNAMA
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