Are you one of the one million warriors against diabetes?
PhilCare celebrates National Diabetes Awareness Month by renewing call for diabetes awareness and proper
disease management

Diabetes is rapidly emerging as one of the biggest health care concerns both globally and in the Philippines. In 2008, about 3.5 million Filipinos were suffering from diabetes. Moreover, an estimated five percent of Filipinos may have the disease but are still undetected, while another eight percent are pre-diabetic.   
In a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is expected that the number of diabetics around the world will reach 366 million people by 2030, 7.8 million of whom will be Filipinos. WHO also predicts that the number of diabetes-related deaths will double between 2005 and 2030, in the absence of proper aid or awareness of the complications that arise due to the disease.
The government tried to address this and bring diabetes to public consciousness with the National Diabetes Awareness Month, by virtue of Proclamation 213 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos in 1993. Then called National Diabetes Awareness Week, the move is intended to build public awareness on the early detection, prevention and effective management of diabetes.
HMO services provider PhilhealthCare Inc. (PhilCare), through its advocacy, "One Million Warriors Against Diabetes," is doing its share in celebration of the National Diabetes Awareness Month. The advocacy aims to provide Filipinos with more information about diabetes, the proper way to reduce risks and treat the disease, and then ultimately to tap one million individuals to become "warriors" who will support the advocacy. The launch was made possible through PhilCare's partnership with the Agustin Tanco Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to general education and knowledge dissemination in the Philippines.
Jaeger Tanco, PhilCare's executive vice president and chief operating officer, believes that there is a dearth of information when it comes to diabetes awareness and disease management. The health care services company decided to focus on diabetes due to the increasing incidence of the disease among Filipinos. Launched during the second half of 2011, the advocacy immediately embarked on an information dissemination campaign making full use of internet tools, as well as conducting on-site information dissemination campaigns across various locations in Metro Manila.
 "PhilCare is an HMO that lives up to its name, the HMO with a heart. We care not only for our clients but also for the rest of the nation. The rising incidence of diabetes locally has become alarming, and we wanted to raise awareness about a disease that has affected many Filipinos, including those with limited access to quality health care, and to help the Filipinos lead healthier lives," Tanco said.
As is the case with other diseases, PhilCare believes that the battle against diabetes is not a lost cause. The advocacy's main thrust is to provide correct and ample information about diabetes, how the disease can be managed, and how having a healthy and active lifestyle can help fight off the disease.  In celebration of the National Diabetes Awareness Month this year, PhilCare staged a three-day exhibit dubbed "I AM: The Many Faces of Diabetes" at the PhilPlans Corporate Center in Taguig. The exhibit featured commissioned portraits of 12 individuals who refused to let diabetes keep them from leading exceptional, full lives. The exhibit was complemented by a booth which promoted the advocacy to the public. PhilCare is currently exploring plans to bring the exhibit to its partner institutions and companies within Metro Manila.  
Eventually, the advocacy hopes to conduct health and fitness activities which will be made available to PhilCare members and non-members alike, as well as offer heavily discounted rates for blood sugar screenings and maintenance check-ups.

To gain access to the latest activities and programs, "like" "One Million Warriors against Diabetes" on Facebook: www.facebook.com/onemillionwarriors.