PRESIDENT'S  MESSAGE

Last year, World Diabetes Day was held at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre on 13 November. The management committee of DSS wishes to thank the Guest-of-Honour, Dr. Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts & Health, for gracing the event. We would also like to thank the organising committee, partners, sponsors, volunteers and members for making the event possible. An even bigger show will be expected this year as we celebrate another milestone in the history of DSS – our 35^th Anniversary.

Diabetes is a chronic disease which has risen rapidly in Singaporeans, afflicting as many as 400,000 or 9% of our population. Diabetes care became the priority for health management to prevent high blood pressure, kidney failure, blindness, heart attacks and stroke, as well as amputation.

DSS recognised three areas of need and set up the Diabetes Education and Care Centre in Jurong West in 1998 and in Boon Keng in 2002 to meet them:

• To bring the knowledge of diabetes self-care skills to the community.

• To provide low-cost diabetes complications screening for diabetes eye, nerve and foot disease and to provide affordable monitoring for cholesterol and blood sugar level.

• To serve as an avenue of outreach to the community for early detection of diabetes.

DSS will continue to work with the Ministry of Health, Community Development Councils, Grassroots Organisations and Volunteer Welfare Organisations to raise diabetes awareness through education.

To our partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers and members, we appreciate your loyal support, selfless contributions and kindness all these years. We look forward to serving with you in 2006 and beyond.

Wishing you all prosperity and good health!


Mr Yong Chiang Boon

President