MOST communicable diseases, except HIV/AIDS, dengue and tuberculosis, are under control with declining rates over the years.
However, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases continue to pose problem due to unhealthy lifestyle such as unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activities and smoking.
The rate of undiagnosed diabetes in Sarawak was recorded at 20.0% in 2014, 15.0% in 2015 and 20.12% in 2016.
Up to 31st December 2016, the Department of Health Sarawak registered 131,213 cases of diabetes in the state.
From January to April 2017, there were already 4,970 new cases of diabetes, disclosed Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian in his winding-up speech in the august House, yesterday.
He said a total of 2,773 dengue cases were recorded in 2016, an increase of 30.6% compared to 1,923 cases reported in 2015.
Sibu district continued to record the highest number of dengue cases in Sarawak for the last two years. Cases increased by 32% from 994 cases in 2015 to 1,463 cases in 2016.
The second highest number of cases during the same period was recorded in Kuching district with 206 cases in 2015 and 207 cases in 2016.
As at 5 May this year, a total of 509 dengue cases have been recorded in Sarawak.
The State Health Department is committed to work hand-in-hand with multi agencies in the state to address dengue, and continuous health education and public awareness would be the key strategies in the effort to reduce dengue cases in Sarawak.
On tuberculosis, Dr Sim said there was an increase of 9.8% in reported cases in 2016 as compared to 2015.
In 2016, total number of reported tuberculosis cases was 2,857 as compared to 2,575 cases in 2015.
From January to April this year, 939 tuberculosis cases had been reported in Sarawak.
“Our main focus is to detect as many cases as possible through systematic screening in order to start early treatment to control the spread of the disease, he said, adding that in 2016, a total 6,762 people were screened by mobile teams at 74 rural locations throughout Sarawak, with 48 cases confirmed while 32 still pending confirmation.
