Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Ministry of Public Health has urged the public to eat healthily and exercise regularly to minimise the risk of diabetes, a deadly disease that plagues over 6.5 million Thai people, or about one tenth of the population.
Speaking on the occasion of World Diabetes Day on November 14, Minister Somsak Thepsutin said that more than 90% of diabetes patients in Thailand are type 2, and some 40% do not know that they are diabetic.
He added that the ministry has instructed the village health volunteer network to teach locals the carb counting practices, as well as encourage them to eat a variety of foods, with an emphasis on low-sugar vegetables and fruits, and exercise regularly.
Dr. Panumas Yanwetsakul, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said this year, the International Diabetes Federation has set the theme for World Diabetes Day as “Diabetes and Well-Being”, with a focus on ensuring that patients have a good quality of life and happiness by managing their physical, mental and social health, even while living with diabetes./.
