The last thirty years has seen a rapid increase in Type 2 diabetes worldwide. In 1985, an estimated 30 million people had diabetes. A little over a decade later, the figure rose to over 150 million. Today, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), it has exceeded 285 million. Unless action is taken to implement effective prevention and control programmes, IDF predicts that the total number of people with diabetes will reach 435 million by the year 2030.

In view of this, on the initiative of the Malaysian Diabetes Association (Penang Branch), Soka Gakkai Malaysia (Penang) and the Penang Adventist Hospital co-organised a World Diabetes Day Campaign on 7th November 2010 at the SGM-Penang Bukit Tambun Culture Centre. The theme for the half-day event was "Diabetic Education and Prevention."

The activities lined up for the morning included an exhibition on public awareness of diabetes, a 2.5 km mini walkathon which saw about 200 people participating, free health screening, health talks, a children’s colouring contest and a lucky draw. All in all, a total of about 500 members and non-members alike turned up for this half-day event.

The Malaysian Dietetic Association assisted by giving free counseling to those who went for the blood screening.

Dr Dicky Ng Teik Kee, Chairman of Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia gave a talk on "Ten Wellness Myths in Diabetes" where he highlighted several misconceptions about diabetes.

In her presentation on "Diabetes and Your Feet", Dr Ng Su Lin, Medical Director of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Centre, painted a bleak picture pertaining to the current statistics on diabetes. She also spoke on how the disease can be prevented and how to treat diabetic foot ulcer.

Earlier, in his opening speech, the guest of honour, Y.B. Mr Phee Boon Poh, Penang state executive councilor for Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment expressed the concern of the Penang State Government over the rise in the number of diabetes cases in Penang because diabetes is a disease which leads to many other diseases such as renal failure and heart-related diseases. He thanked SGM, the Penang Adventist Hospital and the Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia for sharing on diabetes awareness, control and prevention.

He also mentioned what the Penang State Government was doing in areas like the "Sekolah Hijau" project, the "No Plastic" campaign and the "No Smoking" campaign.

Those who participated in the lucky draw walked away with prizes such as free eye-test vouchers, glucometers, and blood pressure gauges.