DSM: 65% of Maldivian population at risk of developing diabetes

Diabetes Society of Maldives (DSM) states that 65 percent of population of Maldives is at risk of developing diabetes.

In a press conference on Tuesday evening, DSM’s Chairperson Aishath Shiruhana said the organization had conducted a nationwide screening for diabetes, which had helped identify groups at risk of developing the disease.

Shiruhana said statistics collected from the latest screening showed 65 percent of those screened were at risk of developing diabetes.

“This means the number of diabetes patients will increase significantly if preventive measures aren’t taken,” she said.

Shiruhana said the DSM had conducted screening programs in multiple islands in collaboration with local councils this year.

A program was held in collaboration with recreational clubs last week to screen parliament staff and police, she said.

Shiruhana said that once the screening programs are done, the organization shares the statistics with the institutions, and instructions and urges the institutions on corrective measures.

DMS’s medical officer Dr. Aminath Malha Saeed said that though type 2 diabetes were most commonly diagnosed in adults, the number of young persons getting diagnosed with the disease was increasing.

Malha said that type 2 diabetes was most common among adults above the age of 30 years.

“Young persons and children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have been identified to be heavier than the recommended weight for their height. They don’t exercise regularly and maintain a poor diet,” she said.

While type 2 diabetes are manageable with prescription drugs, the only treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin. The main reason children are developing type 1 diabetes remains unestablished.

“What’s happening is, the children’s bodies stop creating insulin naturally. When it stops, they begin to show symptoms of diabetes. This includes sudden weight loss, constant thirst or frequent urination,” she said.

There are currently 2,000 people registered with DSM. 175 of them are children with type 1 diabetes.

“One-third of them are in the greater Male’ region. And two-thirds are in the atolls,” said Malha.

Malha said that it was important to take preventive measures, to avoid developing diabetes.