Teh tarik, a popular Malaysian beverage, is known for its high sugar content and part of diabetes and weight management is about controlling the sugar intake. To promote to Malaysians the importance of a low sugar diet, MSD introduced the healthier alternative, a 'sugar-lite' version of the teh tarik.

In conjunction with World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2007, Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Malaysia and Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia (PDM) introduced the healthier alternative to teh tarik called the 'sugar-lite teh tarik' as part of their efforts to promote the 'Living Well with Diabetes' campaign. This campaign aims to drive home the message to Malaysians on the need for increased diabetes awareness, education and prevention. 

Present at the event was Mr. Ewe Kheng Huat, Managing Director of MSD Malaysia who said, "MSD has had a long tradition of working with various stakeholders in the government, non-governmental groups, patients, caregivers and the medical community to develop health programmes aimed at improving the quality of lives of patients," he shared. "Given the increasing number of Malaysians being affected by diabetes, we are committed to putting resources to help improve the health outcomes of patients affected by this disease," he added. 

YBhg Datin Farah DiBa Khan, Chief Dietician, Prince Court Medical Centre and Chef Nicholas Pillai were invited to help develop the sugar-lite teh tarik. "From a dietary perspective, controlling our sugar intake is extremely important. A high sugar diet affects our health in many ways, one of it being increasing the risk of obesity and thus diabetes," shared YBhg Datin Farah.  "By getting involved in the campaign, it was important to develop a teh tarik recipe that will not only appeal to the masses, but represents the healthier alternative to the original," added Chef Nicholas. 

On World Diabetes Day which was on November 14, 2007, the sugar-lite teh tarik was given away for free to the first 200 customers at each select restaurant - Devi's Corner Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Nasi Kandar Pelita Bangsar, Nasi Kandar Pelita SS2 and Sri Nirwana Maju Bangsar. On the same day, MSD also embarked on mini roadshows at selected spots within Klang Valley to promote the beverage.

Reiterating the importance of diabetes awareness, education and prevention, Mr. Ewe in conclusion pointed, "We hope that the campaign will prompt Malaysians to be more conscious about diabetes and in turn help reduce the incidence and burden of the disease now and in the future."

 

Facts about diabetes

Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes. Each year 3.8 million deaths are attributable to diabetes. Mortality attributable to diabetes is estimated at 2.9 million deaths, moving diabetes from eighth to fifth place in cause of death ranking, after cardiovascular disease, cancer and injuries. Here in Malaysia, nearly 1.2 million of the population is diabetic, and 98% of them have type 2 diabetes.