Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) marked its 5th annual community run, “Diabetes Dash: Empowering Steps to Wellness,” on World Diabetes Day, bringing together over 2,000 participants to raise awareness about diabetes and promote prevention. The event attracted a diverse group of individuals, including members of the public, professional runners, healthcare workers, and SJMC staff, all united in their commitment to tackling the diabetes epidemic. The run not only emphasised the importance of diabetes prevention and wellness but also celebrated SJMC’s 39th anniversary of healthcare excellence.
“Lifestyle modification is the most effective strategy to prevent the progression of diabetes,” said Dr Hew Fen Lee, Consultant Endocrinologist at SJMC and Advisor to the Event Committee. “This can be achieved through reducing daily calorie intake and engaging in regular physical activity – such as running, brisk walking, swimming, or cycling – for at least 150 minutes per week.”
Bryan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of SJMC, added: “Events like the Diabetes Dash highlight the critical role of regular exercise and a balanced diet in diabetes prevention. The sense of community also plays a vital part in raising awareness and encouraging others to prioritise their health in the fight against this growing epidemic.”
The run featured multiple categories, from a 3km Fun Run to competitive 10km and 21km races gathering multiple generations of participants. Esteemed guests at the event included MBSJ Councillors Tuan Ir. Balachandran Naicker and Mr. Ken Chia; Dr. Chan Boon Kheng, Managing Director and Group CEO of Asia OneHealthcare; as well as senior officials from local authorities.
Diabetes continues to be a significant health concern in Malaysia, with one in six adults affected – roughly 3.6 million people, or 15.6% of the adult population. If left unaddressed, these figures are projected to rise to 7 million by 2025.
Since its inception in 2014, the SJMC Run has been a key platform for raising diabetes awareness and empowering the community to take control of their health. Beyond the SJMC Run, the hospital sponsored health initiatives like 3D mammogram screenings earlier this year for underserved women in Subang Jaya - 3 December 2024
