KUCHING: As diabetes continues to place an increasing burden on Malaysia’s healthcare system, affecting an estimated 4.75 million adults, Kuching will become the regional meeting point for leading diabetes experts this October when it hosts the Diabetes Asia 2026 Conference (DAC 2026).
The conference will bring together internationally renowned experts alongside local specialists, researchers and healthcare professionals to explore the latest advances in diabetes prevention, treatment and long-term patient care.
DAC 2026 is the flagship event of Nadi’s Continuing Professional Development Series.
Now in its 23rd edition, the three-day hybrid conference will be held from Oct 15 to 17 at voco Kuching by IHG, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and allied health practitioners from Malaysia and around the world.
Delegates will have the flexibility to participate either in person or virtually, fostering greater collaboration, knowledge exchange and the sharing of the latest advances in diabetes prevention, management and care.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 21.1 per cent of Malaysian adults aged between 20 and 79 are living with diabetes, representing around 4.75 million people.
Globally, diabetes affects an estimated 589 million adults, with that figure projected to rise to 853 million by 2050, highlighting the growing importance of continuous professional education, scientific collaboration and evidence-based care in addressing one of the world’s fastest-growing non-communicable diseases.
Professor Emeritus Datuk Mustaffa Embong, chairman of DAC 2026, said the rapid pace of innovation in diabetes care made continuous professional learning more important than ever.
“Diabetes care is evolving faster than ever before. Healthcare professionals must continually update their knowledge to ensure patients benefit from the latest advances. Diabetes Asia 2026 provides an important platform for experts to collaborate, share knowledge and improve patient care,” he said.
“We are honoured to bring Diabetes Asia 2026 to Kuching, where local and international experts can come together to build new collaborations, inspire innovation and ultimately improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes.”
This year’s conference returns to East Malaysia with the support of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), reinforcing Sarawak’s reputation as a preferred destination for international medical and scientific conferences.
DAC 2026 will feature internationally recognised experts from Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, alongside approximately 30 Malaysian specialists representing endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, paediatric endocrinology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, nutrition, pharmacy and diabetes education.
The scientific programme will feature plenary lectures, symposia, expert case discussions and Meet-the-Professor sessions covering the latest advances in diabetes management, obesity, GLP-1 therapies, diabetes technology, precision medicine and related complications.
Together with an accompanying exhibition and networking programme, the conference aims to foster meaningful collaboration among clinicians, researchers, academic institutions and industry partners while supporting continuing professional development.
Researchers are also invited to submit original clinical and scientific studies for the Free Paper Presentation. Outstanding submissions will receive awards of up to RM3,000. Abstract submissions close on Sept 1.
Registration is now open for both in-person and virtual participation, with early-bird rates available until Sept 1.
Healthcare professionals interested in attending or presenting research can register and obtain further information through the National Diabetes Institute at https://www.nadidiabetes.com/
