Thank you for allowing me to write a welcome message on this website. The Ministry of Health Malaysia is grateful to have been able to collaborate with the International Medical University for the Seremban Diabetes (SeDia) Cohort Study in light of the high burden of Non-Communicable Diseases, including diabetes.
According to the National Health Morbidity Survey, the prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 18 and older in Malaysia increased from 11.2% in 2011 to 18.3% in 2019, 50% of which were undiagnosed. Diabetes risk factors include family history, smoking, an unbalanced and unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and obesity. For this reason, a comprehensive study involving the Ministry of Health, the University, and other stakeholders is required to have a better understanding of this disease so as to reduce the risk factors, the incidence among family members, the overall trend, and of course, to have better management of diabetic cases to prevent its complications.
This is the first cohort study focusing specifically on diabetes patients in Malaysia, particularly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). I certainly hope that the outcome of this study will be able to provide more information on diabetes and provide a new protocol for intervention that can be utilised by healthcare professionals and benefit the patients, their family members, and also the community.
The Ministry of Health is therefore welcome this study and will assist as much we can however, additional discussion is encouraged as the study progress
Thank you.
Datuk Dr Norhayati binti Rusli
Deputy Director General (Public Health)
Ministry of Health Malaysia
SeDia Cohort is established, maintained and governed as a collaborative public-private partnership between the Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia and the International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur. The MOH will be represented by Negeri Sembilan Health Department and Seremban District Health Office.
