Paulina Quintao – Research of non-communicable disease conducted by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the national university UNTL in 2014 shows that 1.5% of people in Timor-Leste suffer from diabetes.
Health Minister Maria do Ceu Sarmento Pina da Costa said the research was carried out due to rising mortality rates from non-communicable diseases.
The increase in the number of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and kidney failure has been linked to the unhealthy lifestyle practices of many Timorese.
"Many people in Timor-Leste prefer to eat fast food from restaurants rather than homemade food and also people prefer to go by car rather than on foot," said da Costa at a world health celebration at Hotel Timor in Dili.
Although the percentage of non-communicable disease is small compared to other prevalent diseases in Timor, the minister said those figures were likely to increase in the future due to socio-economic factors.
"That's why it's necessary to prevent [these diseases] before the numbers increase," she said. However, da Costa said many Timorese were still unfamiliar with non-communicable diseases and their potential health implications.
World Health Organization (WHO) representative Dr Rajesh Pandav said diabetes is characteristic of having high blood glucose. To prevent diabetes people are urged to avoid eating sugary food, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol in excess.
"Politically, we have supported the development of the national strategic plan for non-communicable disease and now we are supporting the development of an integrated action plan among ministries because non-communicable diseases are not only theMinistry of Health's responsibility," said Pandav.
Pandav also encouraged people to eat a healthy diet that included plenty of fruits and vegetables and to do regular exercise.
To help increase awareness, WHO has produced a pamphlet with information in Tetun about diabetes and its complications. WHO's data show that diabetes is widespread throughout the world, with 96 million people affected in the Asia-Pacific region.
Internal medicine specialist Dr Celia Alexandra Gusmao said diabetes can lead to complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, blindness, cancer and stroke. "Diabetes is quite hard to cure, therefore treatment and routine control are necessary to prevent complications," said Gusmao.
Every week about 10 people are hospitalized at the Guido Valadares National Hospital due to complications arising as a result of diabetes. She appealed to those who may be at risk to have a blood test so that the disease could be detected and treated early.
Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/health/13740-1-5-of-people-in-timor-leste-suffer-from-diabetes