A recent national study from 2019 found that 3.9 million Malaysian adults have diabetes, and nearly half of them have high blood glucose levels but have not been diagnosed with diabetes. Of those Malays with undiagnosed diabetes, more than half were workers.
The same survey showed that 6.4 million Malaysian adults have hypertension, and only half of them knew they had the disease. Of these Malays with undiagnosed hypertension, more than half were workers.
Malaysians now need to learn to live with Covid-19.
Many Malaysians have to work and manage the economy while they are still fighting the Covid-19 war. Therefore, all Malaysians must be empowered and well prepared to enter the battlefield.
Research shows that people with diabetes and hypertension are at increased risk of contracting the more serious COVID-19 infection, which can also result in death. Patients with diabetes and hypertension need to manage their disease well despite the disruption to other health services due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Well-controlled diabetes and hypertension will better prepare these vulnerable groups to reduce their chances of contracting a serious Covid-19 infection.
Malays with undiagnosed diabetes and hypertension are like people carrying a knife to a shootout: they are under-equipped and unprepared for this Covid-19 war. In addition to social distance, always washing hands and wearing a mask (when the social distance is not possible), taking care of your health is an important defense in this fight against Covid-19.
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Know your status. Get diabetes and hypertension checkups annually if you are over 18 years old. Don't fall victim to this war that is about to end.
Public Health Physicians Association of Malaysia (PPPKAM)
Dr. City Nurbaya Shahrir
Datuk Doctor Zaynal Ariffin Omar
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