1. Diabetes Malaysia (DM)
Diabetes Malaysia (DM)
formerly known as Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia is a non-profit, non-governmental
organization formed in 1981 and registered in 1983 to help people with diabetes
to lead healthy and productive lives. DM has 14 State Branches and 41 District
Branches with about 13,000 active members comprising people with diabetes,
medical and health professionals and others interested in diabetes. Our mission is to promote diabetes care
through awareness, prevention, education and management.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic
disease where the body does not produce or does not
use insulin effectively, resulting in having too
much sugar ( glucose ) in the blood. Over time this high blood glucose
level can give rise to serious complications, such as:
a)
People with diabetes are 3 to 5 times more
at risk of having heart attacks and stroke
b) Diabetes is the leading cause of patients
requiring dialysis in Malaysia. Some 54 % of kidney disease (nephropathy)
patients are people with diabetes.
c) Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness (retinopathy)
in the world.
d) Diabetes can damage
the nerves (neuropathy), leading to numbness of hands and feet.
e) Some 25 % of people
with diabetes will develop foot problems and risk limb amputations.
f) Diabetes can lead to
erectile dysfunction.
g) People with diabetes
are prone to fungal skin infections.
It has been reported
that one in five adult Malaysians (above 30 years old) suffers from diabetes.
Diabetes is a silent killer. Currently there is no cure for diabetes. The good
news is that diabetes can be controlled or delayed, while preventing many of
the complications.
3. Activities Carried Out by
Diabetes Malaysia
Diabetes
Malaysia needs funds to carry out the following activities:
.
-
Organise/support
Seminars and Camps for people (adults and children) with diabetes.
-
Support
poor and needy children and eligible adults with free meters, strips, lancets
and needles to monitor their diabetes daily and regular intervals.
-
Organise
talks and diabetes screening in rural and urban areas.
-
Organise
talks and diabetes screening in Companies and Organizations (upon request).
-
Organise
talks and diabetes screening in Secondary Schools and Colleges (upon request).
-
Publish
information on diabetes related matters in DM’s Newsletter and Website and distributes
pamphlets on diabetes to create better awareness.
-
Organise
diabetes support group activities.
-
Sells
diabetic monitoring devices and supplies at nominal costs to its members.
-
Advocate
to the Government on behalf of the stakeholders and the people with diabetes.
-
One
of the keys to good diabetes control is the knowledge on how to manage
diabetes.
- The diabetes educational programmes are designed to prevent the
members of the public from getting the disease.
4.
Appeal for Donations
As a non-profit organisation,
Diabetes Malaysia depends very much on the compassion and generosity of the
Companies, Organisations and members of the public to fund its various activities.
The successful
implementation of these
activities will raise public awareness on diabetes and help
the people with diabetes to effectively manage the disease and prevent people
from getting the disease in the long term
with a view to reduce the burden
on the healthcare system in the country.
We appeal to the goodwill and generosity
of the public at large to contribute towards DM’s activities and cause.
All donations to Diabetes Malaysia are
tax exempted.
We thank
all donors in advance for your kind and generous support.
