Health Secretary Francisco Duque said diabetes in the Philippines has reached “epidemic proportions” with around 7 million Filipinos diagnosed having the debilitating, life-threatening illness.
“Ang latest data namin, 2015, mga 6 percent, 6 million more or less ang may diabetes sa Pilipinas. Dalawa, 3 taon na ang nakalipas, baka nga umabot ng 7 million, higit pa,” Duque told ABS-CBN News.
The Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) also came up with the same data and categorized diabetes as an epidemic.
The DOH said the public can get drugs for treating diabetes.
“Naihabol naman natin… na maibaba na ang ating mga metformin para sa diabetes sa ating mga regional offices papunta ng mga local government units, iyong kanilang mga rural health office, city health centers at mga barangay health stations,” Duque told ABS-CBN News.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that if neglected, diabetes could result to damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and the eyes.
