Sarah, Indonesia
I took personal concern on NCDs as it has affected my personal life since I was a teenager. Some form of cancer took my mom when I was 17 and then heart failure took my dad 10 years later, on the same year when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I was diagnosed solely based on my lab results during my admission to the ER because I haven't experiencing any of the clinical symptoms. For someone who live in a developing country, I have personally experienced the economic burden to receive NCDs treatment, whether it is a non-invasive or invasive treatment, or even clinical management, especially due to the nature of most NCDs that require a long term treatment. It is quite stressful especially if some of your required medications are not covered under the national health insurance scheme even though you are entitled for the NHI. Therefore, to maintain my blood sugar and my weight, I try modify my lifestyle. I consume less sugar and salt. I walk more, I use the stairs more often, and I manage my stress.