Lack of diagnosis hampers efforts (2)

"Early detection and treatment could well avert or delay the development of complications and help lower treatment costs," Ji said.

Diabetics who do not receive early treatment could suffer a heart attack, kidney failure or serious complications that result in amputation, he said.

Ji attributed the low diagnosis rate to limited access to early screening services and poor public awareness.

"The later the patient begins with treatment, the more costly it would be," said Kong Lingzhi, deputy director of the disease prevention and control bureau under the Ministry of Health.

Statistics from the ministry showed that more than 5 percent of China's total health expenditures went to diabetes treatment.