BANDAR PERMAISURI, 6 NOV – A total of 24,000 or about 20 percent of the 115,000 senior citizens in Terengganu have been diagnosed with diabetes as of today, said Terengganu State Health Director, Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong.
He said about 40,000 people come to health clinics in the state to get diabetes treatment and more than half of that number are senior citizens.
“According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) data, the prevalence of diabetes among adults (age 18 and above) in Terengganu is 16 percent compared to Malaysia (15.6 percent).
“Looking at the situation in Terengganu, the increase in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, especially among the elderly, needs to be dealt with holistically,” he told reporters after officiating the Terengganu-level Elderly Health and Diabetes Day Celebration at the Sungai Tarom District Council Hall here today.
Dr Kasemani said his side had taken several initiatives including holding certain programs to help individuals achieve good diabetes control.
Among them, the Terengganu State Health Department (JKNT) has held health screenings for the elderly at 25 rural clinics and 55 health clinics throughout the state. – Named
