Dr Subra: Sugar subsidy should be cut to curb diabetes
SEGAMAT: The government has been urged to reduce subsidy for sugar as a means to discourage people from using too much sugar in their food and drinks to reduce the danger of diabetes among Malaysians.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said a reduction in subsidy for sugar, in stages, could reduce the consumption of sugar in their daily meals.
"The number of diabetic patients in the country has increased to 2.6 million or 15 percent of the total population. This is partly due to lack of control in the intake of sugar," he told reporters after opening a diabetes awareness campaign in the Segamat Parliamentary constituency at the Buloh Kasap Multi-purpose hall, here, Subnday.
He added that the figure (2.6 million) did not include an estimated two million people who were not listed as they had not undergone medical checkup at government hospitals and clinics.
Dr Subramaniam said diabetic patients were also vulnerable to other diseases, including kidney ailments and damage to eyesight.
There were 16,000 people in the waiting list for kidney transplants but only 40 to 50 organ donors a year, he said.
“This is a serious matter,” he said. - Bernama
