SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MDDI & MOH, AT DIABETES SINGAPORE'S WORLD DIABETES DAY CHARITY GALA DINNER 2025

Dr Bee Yong Mong, President of Diabetes Singapore,

Dr Danny Soon and Mr Steven Seow, Co-Chairs of the World Diabetes Day Gala Dinner Organising Committee,

Ms Priscilla Gan, Executive Director of Diabetes Singapore,

Distinguished guests, partners, and friends,

1.            A very good evening to all of you. It is a great pleasure to join you for this meaningful occasion. This gala dinner marks World Diabetes Day whilst celebrating our community’s spirit in tackling this health challenge.

2.            Tonight is an opportune time to reflect on our journey in fighting diabetes. Diabetes is a serious health concern both globally and locally, with one in three Singaporeans being at risk of developing diabetes in their lifetime. Without proper management, diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputations. 

3.            Recognising the significant impact of diabetes on the health of our population, there has been a concerted effort to prevent diabetes and foster healthy living through various initiatives. I am heartened that the prevalence of diabetes has remained somewhat stable over the past five years, at about 9%, which reflects the dedicated efforts of our healthcare system.

4.            The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working with our partners to create a supportive ecosystem and empower residents to take charge of their health. Unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity are key modifiable risk factors for obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes.  

5.            The promotion of healthier diets, through initiatives such as the Nutri-Grade labelling, has been one of the priorities for MOH and the Health Promotion Board (HPB). The implementation of Nutri-Grade labelling requirements has led to healthier options. Median sugar levels for both pre-packaged and freshly prepared beverages have declined - from 5.8% down to 4.6% for pre-packaged beverages between 2019 to 2024, and 7.5% to 4.7% for freshly prepared beverages in the same period. To further improve the diets of Singapore residents, MOH will extend mandatory Nutri-Grade labelling measures and advertising prohibitions beyond beverages to include key contributors of sodium and saturated fat from mid-2027.

6.            Many Singaporeans spend a significant proportion of their time at the workplace, making it an important setting for promoting healthy lifestyles. MOH and HPB have been working closely with various stakeholders, including employers, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), as well as union and association leaders, to engage employees.

7.            To shape the environment and make healthier lifestyles more accessible, HPB works with landlords and developers to transform workplace clusters into Healthy Workplace Ecosystems (HWEs). These HWEs leverage shared building facilities to provide exercise sessions and educational workshops, as well as offer healthier food options. As of December 2024, there are more than 98 HWEs around Singapore, bringing workplace health programmes to over 480,000 workers in these workplace clusters.  

8.            Community partners such as Diabetes Singapore also play a helpful role in enhancing health promotion through efforts such as educational health talks and screening services.  For example, Diabetes Singapore provides eye and foot screenings via mobile bus services and at its two centres. This makes it more convenient for patients with diabetes to have regular checks, which are important to prevent further complications.

9.            In addition, Diabetes Singapore’s nurse educators provide counselling, empowering individuals with diabetes with the knowledge and confidence to make lifestyle changes and manage their condition effectively. Tonight’s fundraising will enable Diabetes Singapore to sustain their good efforts in tackling diabetes.

10.         I am happy to note that Diabetes Singapore is launching the "Sugar Smart Nation" initiative, which targets workplaces, expanding our efforts to prevent diabetes. Participating companies will commit to reducing sugar consumption at their workplaces through providing healthier food options and raising awareness of diabetes among their employees, through organising talks by health experts and other educational resources, working in close partnership with Diabetes Singapore.

11.         I would like to extend my thanks to partners from the public and private sectors that have already stepped forward to champion this campaign by publicly pledging to reduce sugar consumption at their workplaces. These companies are creating environments where healthier choices become easier choices. Their actions represent more than corporate social responsibility; they are a strategic investment in the health of our people and our nation. The “Sugar Smart Nation” initiative calls every segment of society to step up and play their part and complements HPB’s ongoing efforts to promote healthier lifestyle habits at workplaces. I wish Diabetes Singapore every success in this initiative.

12.         Thank you to the organising committee and sponsors for making this evening’s event possible, which will go a long way in improving diabetes awareness and care. I wish you a pleasant evening ahead.