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We’re No. 1!!!

17 June 2005

You know the way boleh-land always try to be number 1? Here’s what’s on NST:

KIDNEY FAILURE DUE TO DIABETES: Malaysia ranks as world No 1

The country has been ranked number one in the world when it comes to diabetes as the cause of kidney failure by the US Renal Data Registry.

Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Mohd Zaher, a consultant nephrologist with the Health Ministry, said: “We even beat the US and all other European countries…

…Nephrologists believe that the number of registered patients may not reflect the actual situation in the country as there could be many suffering in silence due to lack of facilities. Some could also have resorted to traditional or alternative treatment.

As people become more affluent, lifestyle changes and these changes, are not necessarily good ones. We see people today leading much more unhealthy lives than our forefathers did.

… “Exercise regularly, control blood sugar and stop smoking. Carbohydrates and food with refined sugar content should be eaten in moderation,” he said, adding that Malaysians should cut down on nasi lemak and noodles and eat more of vegetables, legumes, wheat germ and other healthy food…

It’s strange actually… We’re talking about DM leading to Kidney Failure, which means we’re most probably people who know that they are ill. So well, there can be 2 scenarios.

1. There’s a lack of patient education.
ie. The doctor/healthcare personnel didn’t educated the patient about the complications of his illness and how to prevent these complications from setting in.

2. The patient couldn’t care less.
ie. The patient assumes that he’s superman and has the “it won’t happen to me” attitude OR the patient has the “die ma die lor” attitude.

Either scenario’s as bad as the other. *roll eyes*

Written by: Yee Pei under Bits of gray matter


3 Responses to ' We’re No. 1!!! '

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  1. huajern said,

    on June 18th, 2005 at 5:49 pm

    I can vouch from experience answer 2 is a major part.

  2. YP said,

    on June 18th, 2005 at 6:29 pm

    Sigh… it’s time people take an active role in keeping healthy.

  3. Vagus said,

    on June 20th, 2005 at 9:15 pm

    Well, you can’t always blame the patient. The docs have to play a role too. In malaysia, we usually only see the doc when we’re sick. The docs don’t always encourage us to come for annual exams which should include a fasting blood glucose. As a result, the opportunity to pick up early DM is missed.
    Then again, one may argue, so what if you diagnosed me with renal failure? I can’t afford dialysis anyway… (heard that one before).

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