SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MDDI & MOH, AT WORLD DIABETES DAY 2024

Dr Bee Yong Mong, President, Diabetes Singapore

Mr S Tiwari, Executive Director, Diabetes Singapore

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen,

1.               Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you today to celebrate the World Diabetes Day 2024. This year, the theme "Diabetes and well-being" emphasises that diabetes management goes far beyond access to treatment.

Impact of Diabetes

2.               Diabetes is a serious health concern in Singapore, affecting approximately one in 12 Singapore residents. This chronic condition affects multiple aspects of a person’s life. Individuals with diabetes need to monitor what they eat, how much they exercise and watch their blood sugar levels. They also need to attend regular medical follow-ups to avoid complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and vision problems.

3.               Diabetes also impacts mental and emotional wellbeing. The International Diabetes Federation reports that 36% of diabetics experience diabetes distress, while 63% say that the fear of complications affects their wellbeing. This emotional toll, often manifesting as feelings of fear, loneliness, and even depression, can negatively impact self-care and health outcomes.

4.               The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working with our partners to create a supportive ecosystem for residents, to empower them take charge of their health while providing holistic care. I would like to take this chance to highlight some of our key initiatives.

Promoting Healthier Lifestyles

5.               One of the key risk factors for diabetes is obesity. The good news is this is a risk factor which we can modify. We can choose to take active steps to maintain a healthy weight, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.

Maintaining a Healthier Diet

6.               To help individuals make healthier food choices, MOH and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) introduced the Nutri-Grade labelling requirements and advertising prohibitions for beverages in December 2022. The Nutri-Grade labelling helps consumers identify beverages that are higher in sugar and saturated fat. Drinks with a Nutri-Grade "D" rating are also prohibited from advertising. These measures have encouraged the beverage industry to reformulate their products and make them healthier. As a result, the median sugar level of pre-packaged beverages has fallen from 7.1% in 2017 to 4.6% in 2023.

7.               Through the Healthier Choice Symbol and Healthier Dining Programme, HPB has increased the availability and accessibility of healthier food and drinks for consumers. HPB has also rolled out the “Siu Dai by default” and “Less Salt, More Taste” movements to encourage the industry to offer less sweet and less salty food and beverages to lighten the population’s palates, and to encourage sustained changes in dietary habits.

Regular physical activity

8.               Another important aspect of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to engage in regular physical activity. HPB currently offers physical activity programmes island-wide, catering to all age groups. HPB is also enhancing the Healthy 365 app to list programmes offered by community partners, to provide residents with a wider selection of physical activities. For those who prefer to keep active at home, there are many such programmes available virtually as well.

9.               Maintaining regular physical activity over an extended period can be challenging. To motivate Singaporeans to stay active and practice healthy habits, HPB’s Healthy 365 app leverages smart wearables and gamification. Participants can set their daily steps and physical activity goals, and track their progress on the app. To further incentivise healthy habits, the app awards Healthpoints when users achieve recommended daily steps and weekly physical activity milestones.

Early detection of diabetes       

10.           Besides reducing risk through healthier choices and lifestyles, screening is needed to detect diabetes early.  This is important as timely intervention and active management can help to prevent complications, slow down disease progression and improve overall quality of life. Therefore, it is important to screen for diabetes regularly. For Singaporeans aged 40 and above, we recommend diabetes screening every three years, which is fully subsidised for Singaporeans enrolled under Healthier SG. Those aged 18 to 39 can use the free online Diabetes Risk Assessment tool on HealthHub. Those identified to be at higher risk of developing diabetes will be eligible for subsidised health screening and a follow up consultation.

Strengthening Diabetes Management

11.           Under Healthier SG, the family doctor is the first port of call for those with diabetes. Besides providing appropriate medical care, the family doctor will work with their enrolled patients to develop a personalised Health Plan. This includes undergoing regular screening to prevent eye, foot and kidney complications, and provide support in the dietary and lifestyle changes to optimise their blood sugar control. This doctor-patient relationship is critical to ensuring diabetes is well controlled, and improving long-term health outcomes.

12.           To anchor diabetes care in the community, Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cardholders can enjoy enhanced subsidies for common chronic medications under the Healthier SG Chronic Tier, at their enrolled GPs. Enrolled residents with diabetes and other chronic conditions, can also use MediSave to pay for their treatment at their enrolled clinics, up to the annual withdrawal limit.

Community Support

13.           Community partners, like Diabetes Singapore, play a vital role in enhancing health promotion and diabetes care initiatives. Diabetes Singapore has conducted educational talks to help people understand their health risks and take active steps to stay healthy. For individuals with diabetes, they offer various programmes like diabetes management workshops and mobile health screenings. They also run peer support groups where those with diabetes and their families can share experiences and offer mutual support. In addition, Diabetes Singapore also has diabetes centres where nurses provide advice on how to manage diabetes. I would like to thank Diabetes Singapore and all our community partners who are making significant contributions towards better healthcare for our residents.

Closing

14.           In closing, the journey towards better health and wellbeing is one that we all walk together. Good diabetes prevention and management require coordinated efforts from all stakeholders and a supportive environment that enables residents to take charge of their health.

15.           Whether you are living with diabetes, or caring for someone who is, or simply looking to lead a healthier life, each of us can make small, positive changes in our daily lives – choosing healthier foods, staying active, or supporting a friend in need – we can create and generate a wider wellbeing movement throughout our community. We hope that you will help to spread this positive message to your family and friends. Thank you.