World Diabetics Day

13 Nov 2005

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Health

Venue: Suntec Centre

Mr Yong Chiang Boon, President, Diabetic Society of Singapore

Dr Warren Lee, Chairman of Diabetic Society of Singapore

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be with you on the World Diabetes Day. I would like to commend the Diabetic Society of Singapore and the various medical volunteers and agencies for their commitment to providing diabetes awareness, diabetes education and counselling to people with diabetes, their family members and the public. 

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world, organised by the International Diabetes Federation and supported by the World Health Organisation. It was first introduced in 1991 in response to concern over the escalating incidence of diabetes around the world. Each year, World Diabetes Day is centred on a theme related to diabetes. Since 2001, particular attention has been given to diabetes complications. The theme for World Diabetes Day this year is "Put Feet First - Prevent Amputations".

According to the 2004 National Health Survey, the prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 18 to 69 years fell from 9.0% in 1998 to 8.2% in 2004. This is encouraging but more can be done to reduce the prevalence of diabetes. We must encourage more Singaporeans to come forward for early screening so that any sign of the disease can be detected early.

Diabetes is a chronic disease which, if not well-controlled, can cause devastating complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputations. In fact, prevention of diabetic complications remains a challenge for us.

Diabetic foot disease is a major cause of disability in people with diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, a leg is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world and 85% of these amputations could have been prevented. In the past few years, there have been about 700 to 900 lower limb amputations due to diabetes in Singapore. Amputations are life-threatening and may involve life-long dependence upon the help of others, inability to work and much misery. Therefore, steps must be taken to prevent diabetic foot complications or limit its progression. These involve management at the primary healthcare level, good self-care, family and community support.

At the primary healthcare level, polyclinics are being used as a one-stop centre for a new diabetic disease management programme which focuses on the holistic management of diabetic patients. The Family Physician Clinics are acting as vehicles for implementing the diabetic management programme which includes screening for diabetic foot. By this month, there would be a total of 5 Family Physician Clinics in Ang Mo Kio, Pasir Ris, Bukit Batok, Outram and Tampines polyclinics.

All persons with diabetes should undergo foot health education. In fact, the lack of education on foot care has been associated with a 3-fold increased risk of amputations. Being well-informed is an essential component in combating diabetic limb loss.

Next, family support. This plays a crucial role in the management of diabetes. By providing encouragement and emotional support for patients with diabetes, family members help reinforce healthy lifestyle habits and create a positive environment for patients with diabetes at home.

Community support also plays an important role in fighting against diabetic foot complications. The Diabetic Society of Singapore has been relentless in promoting improved self-care among people with diabetes through education sessions for self-management of diabetes, podiatry services, support groups and counselling.

It is imperative that we reduce the unnecessary suffering of  diabetic foot complications. Let us act now.

I would like to thank the organising committee for their hard work in putting together this event, and wish all of you a healthy life ahead.

Thank you.