14 Million Thais Suffer From Diabetes and HBP

[Jai Dee]

Almost 14 million Thai people suffer from diabetes and high-blood pressure

Almost 14 million Thai people aged 15 and older are suffering from diabetes and high-blood pressure but nine million of them do not know they are sick.

Caretaker Public Health Minister Pinit Charusombat (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ) said a 2004 survey found Thai people both in the cities and rural areas were having similar health problems caused by their daily lifestyle.

Mr. Pinit said more than 10 million people had high-blood pressure, which was four times higher than the number recorded in 1991, while three million people had diabetes. Nine million of them, however, did not know they had the diseases and so did not receive medical treatment.

He said the ministry will next year campaign against cardiovascular disease, AIDS, cancer, diabetes and emphysema which cause 100,000 deaths every year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 September 2006

[leisurely]

That astonishes me. Simply because I would have thought the number would be greater. Still, at least something will be done about it. For optimum results, it will need to be covered by the 30 baht scheme though

[astral]

I wonder if the Thai health system will be ready for the next stage,

where angioplasty and heart bypass are needed?