Diabetes today is a major concern in Malaysia as around 3.6 million Malaysians suffer from diabetes. Living in a food haven, a sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet consisting of high carbohydrates, fat, and sugar is a major contributor to diabetes.
By 2025, it is estimated that 1 in 3 Malaysians could be affected by the disease. This is a sobering possibility, and it reminds us that diabetes will continue to impact future generations. It is with this in mind that the Quest Pharmacy Students Society (QPSS) of Quest International University Perak (QIU) organised a day long Public Health Campaign at Ipoh Parade today.
The campaign, themed “Diabetes : The Bittersweet Life” was aimed at creating awareness about the dangers of Diabetes and the importance of early intervention to prevent this disease.
Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at QIU, Datuk Professor Dr. Allan Mathews in welcoming the attendees, reiterated the University’s commitment to work in tandem with the state’s aspirations.
“Events such as today brings everyone together. Today we are here to create awareness of how diabetes can be prevented. We aspire to work with the state government to bring health-care in Perak to the next level of excellence through education to the public.
“The perception is that Diabetes only affects the older generation which is totally not true with the rise in number of children and youths struggling with this disease.
“Diabetes today affects all layers of the community. This campaign is aimed at increasing awareness among the community about the dangers of this disease if not controlled” stressed Datuk Allan.
Yang Berhormat Tuan Sivanesan Achalingam, Perak State EXCO member for Health, Civil Society, Consumer Affairs, National Integration and Human Resources who officiated the event thanked the University for playing a proactive role in bringing about awareness to the public on Diabetes.
“Unfortunately, for every one case diagnosed, there are many who are not aware that they suffer from diabetes. Those who have been diagnosed and put on medication still find it hard to achieve target blood sugar level.
“But the good news is, evidence shows that with the involvement of the pharmacists in outcome management, majority will have their disease controlled. It is here where the Health Campaign today will educate the public on proper methods of diabetes control.
“The government has recognized the importance of outcome management and has set up Medication Therapy Adherence clinics run by pharmacists in Government hospitals” added Sivanesan.
QIU’s firmly believes that the solutions of the future will come from the talent of today as shown in this campaign which is fully organised by students, who are already determined to help the community by disseminating knowledge that could save lives.
It is also part of the ‘hands-on’ learning principle that runs throughout all of QIU’s programmes.
Also in attendance were Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Nicholas Goh, Chief Pharmacist from Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun Ipoh (HRPB), Puan Norma binti Abdullah, academic staff of the university and invited guests.
The day long public health campaign included activities such as Free Health Screening Tests (BMI, Smokerlyzer Test, Blood Pressure Test, Cholesterol Test and Glucose Test), Kids activities and Games and a Blood Donation Campaign.
