Diabetic patients in the town of Bacnotan in La Union received free diabetic retinopathy screening conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region and the Ophthalmology Department of Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) conducted at the municipal gymnasium on November 10, 2022.
A total of 140 diabetic patients were examined during the first day of the 2-day activity.
Francisco de Vera Jr., Regional Program Manager of Essential Non-Communicable Disease stated that the conduct of mobile diabetic eye screening has been very effective as many diabetic patients were encouraged to avail of the free services.
“Mas epektibo kung ang health services talaga ay madala mismo sa kanilang lugar upang hindi na sila mahirapan pang pumunta o magbiyahe sa mga malayong ospital na mayroong eye care and treatment services. Dito makukuha at maibibigay ang lahat ng examination para sa tamang pangangalaga sa kanilang mga mata.”
“Sa mga nangangailangan naman ng agarang operasyon ang ITRMC ang magbibigay ng libreng surgical treatment. Sila ay bibigyan ng schedule sa kanilang pagpunta upang hindi na sila pumila pa,” De Vera explained.
“Tandaan natin na ang Diabetes Mellitus ay panghabangbuhay na sakit na kailangan din ng panghabangbuhay an gamutan. I encourage all individuals with diabetes, especially senior citizens, to avail of the free retiIto ay nakakabuag kung ito ay pababayaan kaya importante na kung tayo ay dibetic, magpakunsulta tayo sa agad sa duktor.”
All diabetes patients are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy which is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels inside the retina at the back of the eye. While having regular eye exams will reduce the risk of vision loss and blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy, only laser operation is the only successful treatment for it.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that the free eye mobile screening will continue to visit other towns of La Union including Bauang on November 17-18, 2022 and Bangar on November 24-25, 2022.
“I encouraged all individuals with diabetes to come and avail of the free diabetic retinopathy screening for you to be able to know your eye condition. Ito napo ang pagkakataon ninyong makapagpatingin at magpakunsulta ng inyong mga mata ng libre at upang mabigyan rin kayo ng tamang payo ng mga espesyalista para sa tamang pangangalaga ng inyong mga mata,” Sydiongco emphasized.
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