Osteoporosis awareness critically low, yet fractures as common as strokes among elderly

By Dayangku Hidayatul

KUCHING, Oct 7: Awareness of osteoporosis remains alarmingly low, as the “silent disease” often goes unnoticed until it causes fracture, making it one of the most overlooked health concerns today.

Public Health, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian commended Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for organising the World Osteoporosis Day event, stressing that the condition continues to be severely under-reported.

“Once you’ve broken your hip or your bones, it’s not silent anymore. The impact is not just on the individual but also on the whole family.

“The number of broken bones when you get old is surprisingly almost equal the number of strokes in Malaysia.

“Everyone knows about stroke, but when it comes to broken bones, people just ‘tengok saja’ (look and do nothing),” he remarked in a pre-recorded interview after officiating the event at SGH today.

Dr Sim, who is also the Deputy Premier, praised SGH for its efforts in raising awareness despite challenges such as understaffing and limited funding, describing the hospital’s medical personnel as “heroes” for their dedication and perseverance.

He also advised those aged 50 and above to check their vitamin D levels, which can easily be maintained through sunlight exposure, adding that many underestimate their needs as they age.

“Most of us think we already have enough vitamin D, calcium and exercise, but as we grow older, more people above 50, roughly 15 per cent of those over 60, can be at risk,” he explained.

He further warned that hip fractures are among the most serious outcomes of osteoporosis, with about half of patients dying within a year due to complications. — DayakDaily

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