SPEECH BY MR TAN KIAT HOW, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE WORLD DIABETES DAY FESTIVAL

Dr Bee Yong Mong, President of Diabetes Singapore,

Dr Danny Soon, Vice President of Diabetes Singapore, and Chairman of World Diabetes Day Festival Organising Committee,

Ms Priscilla Gan, Executive Director of Diabetes Singapore,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, volunteers, friends

1       Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you at the World Diabetes Day Festival. And as shown in the video earlier, this year is particularly meaningful for Diabetes Singapore, celebrating its 55th anniversary. So give yourself a round of applause – well done! For more than five decades, you have helped Singaporeans better understand diabetes, supported those living with the condition, and worked with community partners to improve their lives. Thank you for your dedication and contribution which has made a difference to so many lives here in Singapore.

Diabetes is closer to home than we think

2        Most of us know someone living with diabetes. It may be a family member, friend, colleague or neighbour.

3        Recently, I caught up with some of my secondary school friends. We were reminiscing about our school days and catching up on our lives. I was surprised to find out that one them is now living with diabetes.

4        It was a personal reminder that diabetes is not simply a condition affecting older people. It can affect us much earlier in life, sometimes when we least expect it.

5        For those living with diabetes, there are so many daily challenges that others may not see. Watching what they eat, monitoring blood glucose, taking medication, and keeping up with medical appointments — all while managing work, family and everyday responsibilities.

6        But diabetes need not define someone's life. With early action, good care and the right support, we can help people living with diabetes continue leading active and fulfilling lives.

7        This is why today's theme, Early Action on Diabetes, means something special. I think it is a very important theme - taking steps to prevent or delay diabetes where possible, detecting it early, and helping those already living with the conditions manage it well and avoid further complications.

Encouraging progress, but more to do

8        Singapore over the years has made encouraging progress. Certainly, with the support of Diabetes Singapore and so many other community partners, we have made encouraging progress. According to the National Population Health Survey, participation in diabetes screening among eligible residents aged 40 to 74 increased from 76.7% in 2023 to 82.5% in 2025. More people are stepping forward to do early screening of diabetes, and this is really the hard work of all of you, so thank you very much.

9        Another encouraging indicator is that we are also consuming less sugar. The latest National Nutrition Survey found that Singaporeans consumed about two-and-a-half teaspoons less sugar each day on average in 2025 compared with 2018.

10       These are positive developments. They show that healthier habits can take root. But we must continue building on this progress. We cannot say that this is a success, declare it a victory and stop there. We have to continue building on this success and strong foundation.

11       When we think about preventing diabetes, many of us think first about cutting down on sugar. That is important. But it is not just about the sugar in our drinks. Today, when I go to a coffee shop, to the hawker centre, I speak to my residents. They say: “Kopi-O siudai, Teh-O kosong.” So people take it as a habit, to cut down sugar in our drinks. But what about the sugar on our plates and how active we are?

12       Our overall diet matters, including the amount and type of carbohydrates we eat. While sugar consumption has fallen, the latest survey found that consumption of refined carbohydrates has increased. We can make healthier choices by including more wholegrains, vegetables and fibre-rich foods in our meals, and being mindful of portions. So cut down a little bit on our rice, have a little bit less noodles, even brown rice, wholegrain food, more vegetables, more fibre-rich food in our diet.

13       At the same time, physical activity matters too. More Singaporeans are getting sufficient exercise, but only slightly more than one in three are doing enough muscle-strengthening exercises. I see many of my residents, especially seniors, and I ask them – are they keeping active and healthy? They say yes, every morning I go for a run, which is very good. So exercise is important, but at the same time, not enough people are doing enough muscle strengthening activities. Why is that important? Our muscles help our bodies use glucose more effectively, so maintaining muscle strength is important for diabetes prevention and overall health.

14       At the same time, there is good news. We do not need to make drastic changes overnight. A healthier meal. A walk after dinner. Simple strength exercises. Going for recommended health screenings. Small steps, sustained over time, can make a big difference.

Early action does not stop at diagnosis

15       But early action is not only about preventing or detecting diabetes. Early action does not stop with a diagnosis. It becomes even more important to manage the condition well and prevent complications.

16       Diabetes can affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood circulation. Some complications develop gradually, without obvious early symptoms. That is why regular check-ups, including recommended eye and foot screenings, are so important, before the complications become too severe. So early detection makes a real difference in the quality of life. We see so many residents with severe complications, and those can be avoided by going for screening regularly and early.

17       Personally, I am reminded of an elderly lady in her eighties whom I know from my constituency in Bedok Town. She and her sons run a stall at one of our food centres, and I see her coming by almost every day.

18       She has faced serious health challenges and undergone dialysis. With medical care and the support of her family, I have seen her doing much better over the years. It is heartening to see her continuing to come by the stall and spend time with her loved ones.

19       Her experience is a reminder of something important about living with chronic illness. The right care and support can make a real difference — not just in managing a medical condition, but in helping people continue doing the things that matter to them.

20       This is also why organisations such as Diabetes Singapore play such an important role. Beyond raising awareness, you help individuals and families understand their conditions, manage the challenges of everyday life and connect with the support they need.

21       Government is doing our part too. Through Healthier SG, we are strengthening preventive care and encouraging Singaporeans to build lasting relationships with their family doctors. We are also improving access to screening, treatment and ongoing support for those living with chronic conditions.

22       Families, caregivers, employers and community partners all have a role in helping people sustain healthier habits and live well.

Better technology, better support

23       At the same time, we also recognise that diabetes affects people differently.

24       Type 1 diabetes, for example, is an autoimmune condition. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, it is not caused by lifestyle choices, and it can affect people from a very young age.

25       As we have seen from our Blue Choir earlier, some of these conditions can affect children even from a young age, and sometimes it is tougher on them and their families. I would like to recognise all of them, in particular I would like to recognise Mason, who is just five years old and is living with Type 1 diabetes. For Mason and his parents, managing diabetes means keeping track of blood glucose levels throughout the day — during school, playtime and even overnight.

26       Imagine the constant attention this requires, especially for parents caring for a young child. For those with young children, it is really not easy – the regular monitoring, constant attention. Of course, as parents, always worrying about them. Yet with the right treatment, technology and support from families, schools and the community, children like Mason can continue learning, playing and pursuing their dreams.

27       This is why we must keep improving the care and support available to people living with diabetes.

Extension of subsidies for advanced hybrid closed-loop systems

28       Today, I am pleased to announce that from 1 March 2027, children and adults with Type 1 diabetes who meet the relevant clinical criteria will be able to receive subsidies for advanced hybrid closed-loop systems.

29       These systems combine continuous glucose monitoring with insulin pumps and technology that automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on glucose readings. Put simply, they can help eligible patients manage their blood glucose more effectively, improve diabetes control and ease some of the day-to-day demands of managing their condition. This is especially meaningful for patients and caregivers who must constantly monitor and respond to changes in blood glucose levels.

30       The value of healthcare technology is not simply how advanced it is. It is how much it can improve people's lives — helping patients manage their conditions with greater confidence, and easing the burden on their families and caregivers.

Early action, better care, healthier lives

31       Let me conclude. My message today is simple. Diabetes may affect many of us, but there is much we can do together.

32       For those who are well, please take steps to protect your health. Eat well, stay active, build muscle strength and go for your recommended screenings.

33       For those living with diabetes, keep up with your treatment and regular checks. Good management can help prevent or delay complications and allow you to continue leading fulfilling lives.

34       And for all of us, let us look out for our family members, friends and neighbours who may need our encouragement and support.

35       Diabetes Singapore has been doing this important work for 55 years. Thank you once again to your staff, volunteers and partners for helping Singaporeans prevent diabetes where possible, manage it well, and live better with the condition.

36       Ultimately, our goal is not just to prevent and treat diabetes. It is to help people continue living the lives they value.

37       I wish everyone an enjoyable World Diabetes Day Festival. As Dr Danny said, don’t just come. Go to the booths, ask people at the booths if you are unsure about any issues. Learn something, take something valuable away and make a change in your life, or pass on that valuable knowledge you gleaned from this Festival to someone who may need it. By doing so, we can benefit lives around us. Thank you.