Diabetes centre opens in Klang

Selangor branch of the Malaysian Diabetes Association (PDM) has opened a new Diabetes Community Centre at Taman Chi Liung here to provide advice on the control and prevention of diabetes and its complications.

The centre was officially open by Tengku Puteri Nor Zehan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj on Saturday.

She was accompanied by the Selangor branch PDM chairman Datin Paduka Dr Santha Kumari and committee members.

Dr Santha said the centre's mission was to promote the awareness of diabetes and to counsel those with diabetes and their families.

"Diabetes is the number one cause of renal failure, blindness and foot amputation in the state. It is also the main contributor of heart attacks and strokes," she said.

Statistics show that at least 11 out of every 100 Malaysians suffer from diabetes.

Dr Santha said: "One in two Malaysians are overweight or obese putting them at risk of developing diabetes.

"The young are not spared either as Type II diabetic patient is seen in children from 10 years old.

"There is no cure for diabetes but the good news is that diabetes can be controlled and complications prevented with regular exercise and healthy eating habits."

Diabetes educator Lim Chwee Eng will provide free counselling from 9am to noon, and 4pm to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays.

Some of the centre's committee members are experienced nurses from Tengku Ampuan Rahimah general hospital in Klang.

Besides diabetes counselling, the centre conducts aerobics session on the first Saturday of each month from 7.30am to 8.30am at the Taman Chi Liung Padang.

The centre provides blood sugar, cholesterol and uric acid tests, anodyne therapy for peripheral neuropathy at affordable fees, diabetes related products such as glucometers, glucose test strip, needles, glucerna/diabetes shoes at almost cost price and organise talks and diabetes screening in rural and urban areas, companies and schools.

The centre plans to publish and distribute pamphlets and newsletters, organise camps and seminars for PDM members and hope to come up with diabetes support group activities for children who need to monitor their blood glucose levels three to four times daily, and those who have Type 1 diabetes and need insulin inject ions three to four times daily.

The centre is at 10, Lintang Setaka, Taman Chi Liung, Klang and can be contacted at 03-3374 2728 or e-mail pdmsel10@gmail.com