Diabetics claiming more younger Malaysians

The number of diabetics in Malaysia is continuing to rise and the disease is claiming more younger Malaysians as among its victims, according to the most recent National Health and Morbidity Survey. Some 2.6 million adult Malaysians aged 18 and above are diabetics and this figure is projected to hit 4.5 million by 2020, according to the survey. The survey shows the number of young diabetics almost doubled those in the 30 to 39 age group who were afflicted with the disease, compared to five years earlier in 2006. With one-in-five adult Malaysians over 30 already a diabetic, Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam told reporters that this situation could impact the economy and lower quality of life, particularly when complications of the disease set in. "The fact that it is affecting younger people, which in turn has an effect on productivity as well as the economy, is very worrying. It also leads to a lower quality of life," he said.