Kuching to host two international conferences on diabetes

KUCHING: The National Diabetes Institute ( Nadi) of Malaysia is organising two back- to- back conferences here this month.

The two conferences are the Sarawak Diabetes Complications Conference and Grands Rounds ( DCOM 2018) on July 24-25 and the “Diabetes Asia 2018” Conference on July 26-29.

Eleven internationallyrenowned diabetologists from the US, UK, Australia, Europe and Asia, complemented by 40 local diabetes and other experts will be addressing diverse topics including new medications and treatment for diabetes during pregnancy, in children and those with complications; heart disease and mental health in people with diabetes.

Participants are also invited to join local tours to enjoy the diverse and unique local culture as well as the flora and fauna. About 1,000 delegates from Malaysia and overseas are expected to attend.

For further information, please contact the Conference Secretariat, at 03 7876 1676, email: enquiry@ nadidiabetes. com. my or visit Nadi’s website at www.diabetesmalaysia.com. my.

In Malaysia, an estimated 2.5 million adults are living with diabetes, an increase of 230 per cent from 6.3 per cent in 1986 to 20.8 per cent in 2011.

Many of the sufferers, especially those in their 20’s and 30’s, do not know that they have the disease. Worse still, others are burdened by serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and blindness – due to ignorance and poorly-managed diabetes.

To help address these problems, Nadi has been conducting workshops, seminars and conferences since its inception in 2002, to create awareness amongst the public and patients and to update knowledge for health professionals caring for people with diabetes.