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THE HEALTH | JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2023
| Cover Story |
SWEET
surrender
The cost of managing diabetes will continue to spiral to above RM5 billion per annum if Malaysians continue their love for sugar
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
IT is estimated that one in five adults in Malaysia has diabetes . Yes , we are the sweetest nation in Asia , thanks to our love for everything sweet . And if nothing is done , the cost , treatment and managing diabetes will continue to soar . Deputy Director of Health ( Public Health ) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli said : “ This increasing trend poses a significant threat as diabetes is associated with many health complications . The Ministry of Health ( MoH ) spent approximately RM4.38 billion on managing diabetes in 2017 .”
According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey ( NHMS ), Malaysian individuals 18 years of age and older are more likely than ever to have diabetes . The prevalence increased from 11.2 per cent in 2011 to 18.3 per cent in 2019 , a 7.1 per cent rise .
Not only are the number of cases increasing , the cost of treatment is also high . Depending on the type and brand of insulin you require , the price in Malaysia can range from RM30 to RM200 each month or more . This does not include the cost of the shot administration equipment , blood sugar monitor , ongoing medical tests , constant medications and expensive long-term care .
According to President of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations ( FOMCA ), Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason , the rising expense of diabetes will undoubtedly have a negative effect on patients in Malaysia .
“ The estimated annual cost of diabetes in Malaysia is approximately US $ 600 million ( RM2.6 billion ). It is estimated that a person may spend between RM500 and RM1,000 per month in direct and indirect costs to manage the disease .
“ It may make it more difficult to afford the necessary medications and medical care to manage their condition . This would undoubtedly lead to poorer health outcomes and an increased risk of complications from diabetes .
“ Increasing treatment costs certainly put a severe financial strain on individuals and families already struggling with an increasing cost of living and low incomes .
“ Especially for low-income patients but also for those in the lower levels of M40 , this is a significant portion of their expenditure . Increasing costs may result in patients reducing their treatment for
Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli , Deputy Director- General ( Public Health ), Ministry of Health .
Wan Amir-Jeffery , CEO ( Commercial ), Duopharma Biotech Berhad
Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Mustaffa Embong , Chairman , National Diabetes Institute
Prof Amrahi Buang , President , Malaysian Pharmacists Society
A severe disease
DIABETES is a severe and chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not create enough insulin or when the body cannot use the insulin produced .
A normal HbA1c test level is below 5.7 per cent . A level of 5.7 per cent to 6.4 per cent indicates prediabetes and a level of 6.5 per cent or more indicates diabetes . Within the 5.7 per cent to 6.4 per cent prediabetes range , the higher your HbA1c , the greater your risk is for developing Type 2 diabetes .
The prevalence of diabetes has been progressively rising over the past few decades . The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) Global Report on Diabetes states that in 2014 , an estimated 422 million adults
Datuk Dr N Marimuthu , President , Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations
Dr Michael Jeyakumar , Chairman , Parti Sosialis Malaysia example , by reducing their supplements . This would certainly have a long-term impact on the patient ’ s health .”
IMPROVING QUALITY OF MANAGING DIABETIC PATIENTS
Said Dr Norhayati ,“ Diabetes is a specific chronic disease that needs to be managed comprehensively to prevent complications over time by a multidisciplinary care team .
“ Malaysia generally has an efficient and widespread system of health care , operating a two-tier health care system consisting of both a government-based universal healthcare system and a co-existing private healthcare system .
“ The majority of people with diabetes s eek treatment in public health facilities . Malaysia , through MoH , has established various programmes and interventions to ensure outstanding diabetes care is delivered .
“ The establishment of Clinical Practice Guidelines Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ( T2DM ) provides evidence-based recommendations to assist healthcare providers in identifying , diagnosing and managing patients with T2DM .
“ To support diabetes management in the primary care setting , yearly Diabetes Clinical Audit , together with the Enhanced Primary Health Care ( EnPHC ) initiative are in place to monitor the quality of
worldwide had diabetes , up from 108 million in 1980 .
It is of concern that the number of diabetes cases is increasing , and the rising cost of treatment adds to the burden of the disease .
Diabetes and its complications result in significant economic losses for those with it , their families , health care systems , and national economies due to direct medical expenses and lost wages and income .
The International Diabetes Federation ( IDF ) estimates that between 2003 and 2013 , the total amount spent globally on diabetes healthcare more than quadrupled as a result of both an increase in the number of individuals with the disease and an increase in per capita diabetes spending .