The Department of Health (DOH) is sounding the alarm over the continued burden caused by diabetes mellitus as it ranked as the fifth top cause of death in the country.
Based on the 2024 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), diabetes mellitus has a 6.3 percent share in the causes of mortality in 2024 with 31,321 deaths.
“According to a study by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, 2024), diabetes is the 5th leading cause of mortality in the Philippines,” said the DOH.
Leading the list is ischaemic heart diseases with 96,049 cases or 19.3 percent of the total deaths nationwide; followed by neoplasms with 55,105 deaths or 11.1 percent of the total.
Cerebrovascular diseases ranked third with 49,349 deaths or 9.9 percent; while pneumonia emerged as the fourth leading cause of death with 33,040 cases or 6.6 percent.
According to the DOH, among the reasons cited for developing diabetes are frequent and excessive eating and drinking of sweets.
On the other hand, some of the complications that diabetes can cause are heart attack and stroke, blindness or vision problems, amputation, and kidney failure.
And in a bid to amplify the campaign to raise awareness on diabetes, more than 300 residents from several barangays in Parañaque City received free blood pressure check, BMI, glucose testing, and eye check-up from the DOH.
The program sought to provide the public with early screening, proper education, and continuous treatment of diabetes.
“The activity aims to strengthen knowledge, prevent diabetes, and make health services accessible to every Filipino.” said the DOH.
