Myanmar marks World Diabetes Day with health minister’s speech in Nay Pyi Taw

The Union Minister for Health, Dr. Thet Khaing Win, addressed a World Diabetes Day ceremony, stating that diabetes is a significant cause of premature death globally. He reported that international data indicate at least 11.1 percent of the world’s population suffers from the condition, with a majority having Type 2 diabetes. He noted that approximately 43 percent of those affected are unaware of their diagnosis.

The minister highlighted this year’s theme, which focuses on increasing knowledge and action regarding diabetes in the workplace. He emphasized that effective prevention and control of non-communicable diseases would increase public life expectancy. In Myanmar, official data shows that 7.9 percent of the population has diabetes. To address this, clinics for diabetes and hypertension are being established in rural health departments, offering medical checkups weekly.