MELAKA ANNUAL DIABETES CAMP

BUKIT ASAHAN : The Melaka Branch of the Malaysian Diabetes Association held its Annual Diabetes Camp at the scenic Taman Lagenda Bukit Asahan Resort recently.

More than 20 participant ranging from age 9 to 76 took part in this two half days and one full day camp. About 35 percent of them were non-diabetics. Two of the participant were juvenile diabetics.

Participant consist of a tax consultants, an auditor, book-keepers, teachers, pupils, a bus driver, housewives, an electrician, secretaries, retired government servant, businessmen and a nurse.

Upon arrival at the camp, the organizing chairman, Roger Ong, welcomed all participants before introducing the organizing committee and issuing of name tags.

Male participants slept in a dormitory whereas the female participants shared four to a room.

As not all participants knew one another, the first event "Getting To Know You" took place during the first tea session.

Daily blood sugar tests were carried out and it was provided free of charge to all participants with sponsored by Medical Dynamics (M) Sdn Bhd using their B.Braun test equipment. Cholestoral tests were conducted at RM8 for each test.

After dinner on the first evening, Lee Boon Leon, an Australian Certified Diabetes Educator, gave an enlighting talk on "What Is Diabetes" and how to interpret blood test results, what to do and how to control individual diabetic conditions.

Early next morning, all the participants went for a 2 km jungle walk arranged and lead by the 2nd Chairman of the Melaka Branch of the PDM, Yong Yang Chow.

After the jungle walk and tea, Jamaliah, a nurse, shared with participants on the importance of "Foot Care" and how to exercise our legs for better blood circulation and the proper types of foot ware to use.

In the afternoon, Yong demonstrated on how to make "kuih dadar". The kuih was then consumed during tea before Lee Wah Toh and Jasmin Tan introduced 5 team games for all participants to compete. Prizes donated by Boon Hong Bookstore, were awarded to the winning teams.

The evening was highlighted with a BBQ dinner, jokes telling and karaoke sessions.

The final morning started with Lim Soo Hoo, the pro-team and first Chairman of the Melaka Branch of PDM, teaching everyone the Chinese 8 Steps Exercise.

This was followed by Chapatti making demonstration conducted by Majidah Othman. Naturally, and as expected, the chapattis were also for tea.

Dr Ramesh gave a talk on complications and Diabetes Management and his 1.5 hours talk was extended by another hour due to many questions fielded by participants.

One frightening concern is the increasing of Malaysian suffering from Diabetes from 4 percent in 1980 to 8 percnt in 1990 and in 2000, it is between 10 to 12 percent.

Other areas of concerns are complications and deterioration of eyesight, kidney failures, stroke, heart attacks and amputations of legs due to micro and macro vascular narrowing.

Dr Ramesh also mentioned the different function of insulin injections as compared to oral intake of the various types of medicines. For better individual diabetic controls, he encouraged everyone to be aware of dietary control, sufficient exercise and to be conscientious in taking medicines.

After lunch, the camp came to the end and everybody departed for home having enjoyed the many events organized, except for a little inconvenience of water crisis despite the filtration plant next to the resort and reservoir beside the camp.

The organizing chairman thanked all participants and committee members for making the camp a success.

Mingguan Melaka : 12 Nov - 18 Nov 2000. Issue 20

Copyright © 2000 by IKSEP, Melaka . Issue 20 (12 Nov - 18 Nov 2000)