Various health services and activities were conducted by the regional office and the local government of San Juan, La Union during the celebration of the World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2023 at the municipal gymnasium with more than 300 attendees participated.
Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco disclosed a total of 7,174 newly diagnosed diabetes cases for 2022 during her message yesterday at the celebration of World Diabetes Day held in the town of San Juan, La Union as she renewed her call for the prevention and management of diabetes through regular exercise and healthy lifestyle practices.
“Health care access for diabetes patients is one of our priorities in the region, that’s why we have conducted mobile diabetic screening tests to visit municipalities and provide the needed interventions for diabetic individuals. Kasama na dito ang pamimigay ng libreng maintenance medicines at regular consultations upang hindi na sila mahirapan pang pumunta sa hospital. Kami na ang nagdadala ng mga kailangan nilang serbisyo upang sila ay hindi mapabayaan,” she stated.
She added that the regional office, together with its partner agencies and stakeholders, conducts regular diabetes education, nutrition consultations, diabetes testing and monitoring, diet and weight management to ensure that patients have access to proper information.
Based on the 2022 Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS) report, there are a total of 115,112 diabetes cases recorded in Ilocos region from 2016-2022.
The conduct of the “World Diabetes Day” was led by the Regional Non-Communicable Disease Unit headed by Regional Program Manager of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Erwin M. Baclig, Jr. who ensured that diabetic patients in the region were properly monitored at the local level and given proper treatment regimen to manage their diabetes including free diabetes-related blood chemistry tests.
Among the services provided for diabetes patients during the event were BMI, medical consultation, nutrition counseling, diabetic retinopathy screening with the provision of free spectacles, BP monitoring, blood testing, health risk assessment, urinalysis, and FBS.
Other activities were cooking contest, larong Pinoy for school children, poster-making contest and dance contest. Winners were given cash prizes and plaques of appreciation.
Lectures on diabetes prevention and control and zumba dance exercise were also conducted for diabetes patients.
The event was held in coordination with the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, National Nutrition Council, La Union Medical Society, and the local government of San Juan, La Union.
This year’s theme, “Access to Diabetes Care”, highlights the importance of diabetes care within reach, economical, and of high quality for all, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographical location. It is a shared responsibility of everyone including governments, healthcare providers, and communities.
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