Every 6 seconds, someone in the world dies from diabetes. In Brunei Darussalam, the latest survey data from 2016 indicate that women in Brunei Darussalam are at higher risk of diabetes than men. This was among the contents of the message by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doktor Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, Minister of Health in conjunction with World Diabetes Day 2017.

According to Yang Berhormat, Diabetes is a serious life-long health condition that occurs when the amount of sugar in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. If left untreated, high blood glucose levels can cause serious health complications such as blindness, kidney failure, diabetic coma and amputations. Furthermore, people with diabetes are also two to four times more likely to experience heart attacks and strokes.

The Minister of Health said that two out of every five women with diabetes are of a reproductive age. Women with pre-existing diabetes have a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage. For diabetes that occurs during pregnancy in non-diabetic women, termed gestational diabetes, they are advised to have annual diabetic screening following delivery and to maintain a healthy lifestyle even though the diabetes resolves after delivery. This helps to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Yang Berhormat also explained that, diabetes is the 3rd leading cause of death after cancer and heart disease. However, the minister added, that we in Brunei Darussalam are very fortunate that the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has provided equal access to any medical services for all the citizens regardless of gender. Yang berhormat said that at present, 1 in 10 women are living with diabetes, that is, about 199 million women globally. By 2040, it is estimated that 313 million women will have diabetes.

To help tackle the threat of diabetes, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) observe this year's World Diabetes Day with the theme 'Women and Diabetes – our right to a healthy future'. The theme, Yang Berhormat explained promotes equitable access for all women at risk of or living with diabetes to medicines, technologies, self-management education and information that enables them to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes and gain more insight into preventing type 2 diabetes.

Source:
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by Brudirect.com

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