3rd Borneo Diabetes Conference 2025 Brings Regional Collaboration

suppadmin | September 20, 2025

The 3rd Borneo Diabetes Conference 2025 was officiated on behalf of Deputy Premier of Sarawak, YB Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, bringing together more than 400 delegates from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, and West Malaysia.

The conference, which gathered doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and researchers, reflects a growing spirit of regional collaboration in addressing one of today’s most urgent health challenges — diabetes.

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, 18.3 percent of Malaysian adults are living with diabetes, nearly one in five. In Sarawak, the prevalence is slightly lower at 14 to 15 percent, yet still concerning, especially with obesity on the rise. Almost half of adult Sarawakians are now overweight or obese.

In response, the Sarawak Government has made diabetes and obesity top public health priorities. Among its key initiatives are:

The Sarawak Healthy Community Initiative, which expands community-based health screenings including in rural and remote areas.
Strengthening primary healthcare by allocating more resources to Klinik Kesihatan and Klinik Komuniti.
The Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategy 2030, which promotes healthier diets and active living.
Digital health integration through telemedicine and mobile apps for diabetes self-management.
Public–private–NGO partnerships, working closely with Diabetes Malaysia, universities, and international collaborators.
Conferences such as this, said the representative, are crucial platforms for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and exploring new approaches to improve clinical practice, empower communities, and shape effective public policy.

On behalf of the Sarawak Government, appreciation was extended to the organisers, healthcare professionals, and partners whose efforts made the conference possible. The statement concluded with optimism that, through dedication, innovation, and collaboration, Sarawak and the wider Borneo region can achieve a healthier future.