Alarms are being raised worldwide due to the dangerous increase of people being diagnosed with diabetes. In the Philippines for instance, 3,721,900 were diagnosed with the disease in 2017.
While no one dies from diabetes itself, the complications of this condition leads to debilitating and even fatal consequences such as blindness, amputation, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
Efforts to prevent and control diabetes start with awareness and education, experts opine.
During the recent celebration of World Diabetes Day, global healthcare company Novo Nordisk Philippines together with the Lions Clubs of the Philippines, Quezon City local government, American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, Institute for the Study of Diabetes Foundation Inc., Diabetes Philippines, Institute of Reproductive Health, and communities in Metro Manila gathered to show support for the cause of promoting diabetes prevention, control, and management.
To mark this advocacy with the goal of winning against diabetes, a Guinness world record attempt was made at the Quezon City Memorial Circle where 3,347 people simultaneously opened blue umbrellas while in a circular formation.
The color blue represents the flag of the United Nations which created the UN Resolution on Diabetes in 2006, while the circle is the symbol of World Diabetes Day that signifies positivity, unity, and strength against diabetes.
“We believe that half of the people who live with diabetes are not aware they have diabetes, and of the half who know they have diabetes, only half get treatments,” lamented Cihan Serdar Kizilcik, vice president and general manager for Novo Nordisk Philippines.
Kizilcik continued, “More than 400 million people in the world have diabetes. In the Philippines, the numbers are increasing. It’s important that we recognize diabetes so that it can be prevented.”
“We’re not just trying to set a world record of thousands of people opening blue umbrellas at the same time,” pointed out Generoso Del Rosario, district governor of the Lions Clubs of the Philippines. “We are forming this blue circle because we want to send a message that we are concerned about our communities. We are concerned about the health of every Filipino.”
Dr. Jeremy Robles, president of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, during the World Diabetes Day media forum shared that the pre-diabetes stage is as important as being diagnosed with diabetes, because pre-diabetic patients are also at risk of acquiring the complications of the chronic disease.
“Pre-diabetes occurs mainly in the younger population and those at risk. These are the ones who have family members who are already diabetic, those who are overweight and obese, those who have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and people who are sedentary and don’t exercise,” said Dr. Robles.
Meanwhile, Dr. Marcelino Lim of the Institute for Studies in Diabetes Foundation Inc. added, “When I talk of diabetes prevention, it’s very basic. Eat healthy, be more active, and maintain ideal weight. It’s never too late to start on this regimen to prevent the onset of diabetes.”
Dr. Theresa Faller, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology-Philippines Chapter cautioned the youth, especially those in their mid-twenties to early thirties, to be more mindful of their lifestyle, because doctors are seeing more people in this age group having diabetes. “We get 28-year-olds and patients who are a little below 35 years old who get heart attacks and stroke, and a primary factor is because of diabetes and a very bad lifestyle.”
Dr. Grace Ko Delos Santos, president of Diabetes Philippines also emphasized how families can care for their loved ones with diabetes, “It’s difficult to care for a diabetic patient if the family is not involved. The whole family should be eating the same food as the diabetic patient. A diabetic’s diet is not complicated. There are just some things we prohibit such as sugar, honey, and salty food. But it’s simply a nutritious diet, which can prevent so many illnesses.”
During the press conference, Johanah Co, a patient who has been living with type 1 diabetes for 18 years, shared how she faced several challenges that were detrimental to her health and the emotional burdens diabetes has caused her.
But now, as a diabetes patient advocate, she stressed the importance of having a more positive outlook and called on families, communities, and the government to support diabetic patients.
“We are advocates because we have embraced and owned up to our diabetes. We also have seen those who struggled because they cannot afford medication. From our government, we hope for insulin and test strips reimbursement just like in other countries with universal healthcare,” she said
Medical organizations are doing their part in spreading information campaigns about diabetes, sending specialists to aid government hospitals, putting up diabetes clinics, and reaching out to far-flung communities.
The Quezon City local government also proudly took part in the World Diabetes Day event and reiterated its commitment to prevent and control diabetes.
“We are creating more educational programs that we can bring to the barangay level,” said Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto. “We have monitoring of blood sugars in all medical missions we conduct. But we can’t do this alone. We have three million population in Quezon City, that’s why we really need all the help we can get.”
The Ambassador of Denmark to the Philippines Ambassador Grete Sillasen also graced the event and expressed her support for raising awareness of diabetes in the Philippines. She shared some of the milestones the city of Copenhagen has achieved in order to have healthier communities such as the construction of bike lanes to encourage people to exercise daily.