According to the International Diabetes Federation, 537 million adults between 20 to 79 years old live with diabetes. By 2030, this number will increase to 643 million; by 2045, it will reach 783 million. As a result, 1 in 9 people will be living with diabetes. (1)
The global death toll from diabetes reached 6.7 million in 2021 – one every 5 seconds. Expenditures related to diabetes over the last 15 years have risen by 316% to USD 966 billion. (1)
Hailed as one of the infamous “silent killers,” diabetes ranked fourth among the chronic diseases in the Philippines. According to recent data from the preliminary count of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), deaths due to diabetes mellitus recorded a 6.6 percent share of total deaths in the country, excluding the relevant numbers of those left undiagnosed. (2)
These numbers stress the importance of awareness of the risk factors of developing diabetes, and the urgent need for diabetes education to prevent and manage the disease.
Shaping the Future of Education Through Diabetes: (L-R) Leyden Florido, Board of Trustees of Diabetes Philippines, Dra. Fatima Tiu, Treasurer, Diabetes Philippines; Dr. Arnold Abalos of the City of Mandaluyong; and Dr. Francis I. Pasaporte, President of Diabetes Philippines, gather to talk about the prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines, as well as the importance of preventing and managing the disease through proper diabetes education, which include LGU-centric programs like free blood sugar monitoring, group fitness/movement activities, and free diabetes medication. “Kapag na-realize natin na ganoon pala ka-tindi ang diabetes, then we can become stronger. We’re inviting the media, the government agencies to be with us as we lead education to access care & education to all Filipino diabetes patients,” says Dr. Pasaporte.
This year’s celebration of World Diabetes Day is aptly themed “Diabetes: Education for Tomorrow,” focusing on better access to quality diabetes education for health professionals and people living with diabetes. Representatives from the International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Philippines, the Department of Health, the World Health Organization, the local government of Mandaluyong, medical organizations, and pharmaceutical groups such as Novo Nordisk, will convene to discuss strategies and approaches to raise awareness on diabetes and access to related healthcare. With the event hashtag #TaraNaStopDiabetes, the event also hopes to gather support from public and private stakeholders in the joint fight against this prevalent disease.
“Managing diabetes takes more than medicine. For people to successfully manage the condition, education is key. This is particularly important for the three-quarters of people with diabetes who live in low- and middle-income countries and struggle to access diabetes care and essential health services. At Novo Nordisk, we strive to continuously improve healthcare capacity and to provide education for people with diabetes around the country and the world,” said Cihan Serdar Kizilcik, Vice President and General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines.
Access to diabetes care
Insulin remains to be the cornerstone in diabetes management as diabetes mellitus occurs due to the body’s inability to use blood sugar efficiently due to insufficient, ineffective, or nonexistent insulin supplies. However, 100 years after the discovery of insulin, millions of people with diabetes worldwide still cannot access the necessary care. The centenary of the discovery of insulin presents a unique opportunity to bring about meaningful change for more than 530 million people living with diabetes and the millions more at risk.
As diabetes numbers rise, healthcare systems are under increased strain. Healthcare professionals must be able to detect and diagnose diabetes as soon as possible so that they can provide the best possible care. People living with diabetes must receive ongoing education to understand their condition and carry out daily self-care essential to staying healthy and avoiding complications.
Novo Nordisk in the Philippines has been at the forefront of innovative diabetes care. By accelerating prevention, providing access to affordable care, and introducing innovative ways to manage diabetes, Novo Nordisk aims to help the healthcare sector and the Filipino people rise to the challenge of diabetes care.
To learn more about Novo Nordisk’s efforts in increasing diabetes care and management awareness, visit the Novo Nordisk website and follow their official Facebook page.
ADVT.