KUCHING, June 21 -- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes, continue to pose major public health challenges in Malaysia.

Sarawak State Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah said data collected nationwide showed a significant number of Malaysians are affected by NCDs.

"At the national level, data collected across Malaysia shows that many Malaysians are affected by NCDs.

"The most common is diabetes mellitus. One in six Malaysians has diabetes.

"High blood pressure affects one in three Malaysians, while high cholesterol also affects one in three people," she said in her welcoming speech during the Kuching Sihat Run at Padang Merdeka here on Sunday.

She stated that another major health concerns in Malaysia is exc...