DOH CALLS ACTION AGAINST DIABETES

The Department of Health in Ilocos has called for concerted action against diabetes during the World Health Day celebration on April 7.

April 7 of every year is marked as World Health Day globally to mark the founding anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) which was held in 1948.  Each year, a theme is selected to highlight a priority area of public health concern in the world. 

This year, the theme billed as “Halt the rise: Beat diabetes” calls to tackle diabetes that draws attention to the need to step up prevention and treatment of the disease.

According to Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, regional director of the DOH-1, there is a need to increase awareness about the rise in diabetes since the country is considered a global hotspot of said illness.

“Philippines is one of the top 15 countries worldwide that has the highest cases of diabetes,” said Cabotaje.

Reports from the local health department placed 29,870 individuals in Region 1 as diabetic.

The DOH said that  in order to beat the disease and other kinds of non-communicable diseases, all must support the country’s campaign dubbed Pilipinas Go4health movement which involves four key areas: "Go smoke-free," "Go sustansya," "Go sigla" and "Go slow tagay."

Go smoke-free encourages the public not to start smoking or for smokers to quit as it is causes cancer and increases the risk for serious health problems, diseases and deaths.

Go sustanya, on one hand, tells everyone to be mindful of what to eat and to avoid intake of too much fatty, salty and sweet food.

Go sigla pushes for doing physical activities like sports, doing household chores or even dancing to one’s favorite music.
           
Lastly, Go slow tagay advises the public to refrain from too much consumption of alcoholic drinks.

Highlighting the World Health celebration in the region is the conduct of fun walk at the city plaza where some 500 participants from regional line agencies participated.

Meanwhile, the DOH hopes that all those diagnosed with diabetes will visit their nearest rural health unit and enrol in the Diabetes Club where they can avail themselves free maintenance drugs. #  Source -  (MCA/Joanne Namnama P. Dilim/PIA-1 La Union).