Baguio gov’t partners with med groups to curb diabetes as cases of deaths rise to 393

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government here has forged a partnership with four medical organizations in an effort to curb increasing number of people developing complications due to type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
Based on the latest statistics, the City Health Services Office recorded 393 deaths (both Baguio and non-Baguio residents) directly attributed to diabetes from 2019 to 2022.
    The Baguio City Council January 9, granted Mayor Benjamin Magalong authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Diabetes Philippines, Inc., Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators, Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators of the Philippines, and Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals (Phils.), Inc.
    The city government, through the City Health and Services Office, will support the implementation of the Addressing Complications Today through a Network of Warriors (ACT NOW) Program.
    The ACT NOW Program is a health-care related initiative aimed at addressing the progressive increase of complications related to the aforementioned diseases. It envisions the use of a referral hub for treatment pathway, training assessment for the local health care providers, and medical education.
    The program includes the use of risk factor assessment and Chronic Kidney Disease questionnaire in the management of non-communicable diseases; continuing medical education for health practitioners on risk factor management; education on lifestyle modification, adherence to therapies, and prevention of cardiorenal complications; and a referral hub with risk factor treatment pathway with provision of access to treatment.
    The memorandum of agreement shall be valid for a period of one year and may be extended or renewed for a certain period upon mutual agreement of all parties.