Group conducts diabetes survey among Filipinos

To properly address diabetes, the Philippine Diabetes Association (PDA) has commissioned a survey to provide a clearer picture of the disease in the country.

According to PDA president Dr. Teresita Que, the survey is designed to determine the "knowledge, attitude and practices of Filipinos that could be related to diabetes."

Although the survey is conducted only in Metro Manila, the PDA hopes to determine diabetics’ compliance with recommended medications and the public’s adherence to healthy lifestyles.

Records of the National Nutrition and Health Survey showed that 4.6 percent of the population, or about 3.7 million adult Filipinos, suffer from diabetes.

The survey will be completed by either April or May.

The survey originated from diabetes clinics which sought to strengthen the fight against the disease through monitoring and preventive measures.

The Advocacy Leadership in Education and Access to Diabetes Care (ALEAD) has a project which educates doctors about proper treatment of diabetes and intends to raise public awareness.

According to Dr. Francis Pasaporte, ALEAD project leader, the initiative was originally funded by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) through a grant of $2 million.

Part of the project was the set-up of a diabetes clinic at the compound of the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan. There, educational programs are conducted by doctors for patients and their families while diagnosis and treatments are administered.

According to Pasaporte, the clinic originally consisted of a container van which could easily be moved so that when the time came, local government units could take charge of the program’s regular expenses.

Other clinics are planned for Osamiz City and Cavite City.

Pasaporte said the ALEAD intends to seek more funds from WDF in order to establish 17 more clinics nationwide.