Taking steps to protect from diabetes begins with awareness. This year’s World Diabetes Day Walk for Change ends in a blue circle, the global symbol for diabetes awareness standing for the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the epidemic.
Diabetes is a preventable and manageable disease – frequently moving and taking a walk as often as possible can help.
This was one of the messages shared during an early morning fun walk around the Quezon City Hall grounds in observance of World Diabetes Day.
Spearheaded by Novo Nordisk Philippines, in collaboration with partners who are equally committed to their advocacy, the local government of Quezon City, the Royal Danish Embassy Manila, South Star Drug, and key medical organizations, the event was themed “Walk for Change” and emphasized the importance of taking steps to prevent diabetes, mainly accurate information and expert healthcare.
World Diabetes Day has been celebrated worldwide since 1991 and is now participated in by over 160 countries worldwide to address the growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes.
In the latest report of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes. Over 90% have type 2 diabetes. Close to half of these cases are not yet diagnosed.
The Philippines is among the countries that need to step up on awareness. “The latest report of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the DOST in 2019 stated that as of 2018, the diabetes rate was 7.9% and for people with pre-diabetes 8.2%. For perspective, back in 2008, the rate was just 3.4%, and even then, it was already a considered cause for concern,” said Dr. Elizabeth Catindig, Executive Director of the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation (ISDF).
Catindig, who was among the special guests at the event, continues, “We really see an increase and jump in the numbers, so the concern is valid. One of our battle cries is that persons with diabetes tomorrow will be coming from the children of today, so we need to work hard to prevent it.”
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte gamely joined the early morning weekend activity to show her awareness of the health threat and her office’s solidarity with the cause. “We have local programs and initiatives that the QC Health Department has implemented to promote diabetes, including detection, screening, management, and prevention.”
The LGU’s efforts include a data base of those afflicted by the disease, and those diagnosed are already enrolled in a program where comprehensive personal monitoring is provided. “We have passed an ordinance where mediation for those enrolled in the program is free. We maintain a close relationship and easy referral process with secondary health facilities in the system, and we have a very strong information and education campaign in the barangay level, which is part of our health management system,” Belmonte added.
The push for this year’s advocacy: “Know your risk, Know your response” is hugely important because awareness is already half the work to fight the disease.
Novo Nordisk Philippines, for its part, has created a website, Diabetes What’s Next that provides fact-checked information to ensure patients will have accurate information and tools they need to take charge of their diabetes journey.
“Our aim is to be a go-to resource not just for patients, but also for the caregivers of these patients,” Novo Nordisk’s Clinical, Medical, Regulatory & Pharmacovigilance Director Dr. Neslie Buena-Bobis said.
Dr. Aurora G. Macaballug, Vice President of Philippine College of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM) shares the value of these resources and accurate information, adding, “We actively engage our patients — we discuss with them and encourage them to talk to us. We make sure they don’t just get information they pick up online; not to believe what they pick up online hook, line, and sinker.”
Speaking for the Alliance of Clinical Endocrinologists (ACE), Executive Director Dr. Edison So stressed the importance of healthy dialogue with patients for proper education on medication and management versus what people see online. “Valid and accurate information should be available and accessible because diabetes is a serious condition that can cause and lead to complications,” he said.
Even drugstores have a role in the cause, according to Mariel Crisostomo, General Manager of South Star Drug. “We recognize the pivotal role that pharmacies play in our communities. We are more than just places to pick up prescriptions; we are crucial points of care, dedicated to enhancing public health, and offering screening and prevention services for diabetes.
As consumers’ trusted partners we ensure they know their risk, understand their response, and take proactive steps toward a healthier future,” she stated.
Danish Ambassador Franz-Michael “Dan-Dan” Mellbin who was present from the event’s start to its end, said, “The collaboration with Novo Nordisk and others stakeholders is important because we try to support wherever Denmark has companies that are active in causes (with global concern) like diabetes, to bring the best of Danish healthcare support to the Filipino people. This disease is not just about the individuals, but about the impact on their families, communities, and the society. We believe we can help in sharing knowledge and new ways of tackling (the disease) by participating in activities such as World Diabetes Day. (The advocacy) can have a much better trajectory if we can get much more cooperation from as many groups (as well).”
