Waging war vs diabetes

MANILA, Philippines - LRI, the endometabolic division of United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab), recently supported the observance of World Diabetes Day led by Diabetes Philippines.

With “Understand Diabetes and Take Control” as this year’s theme, a motorcade kicked off the day’s activity with three groups coming from the Unilab main office in Mandaluyong City, Quezon City Circle and Bonifacio High Street.

All groups converged at the Century Park Hotel for more physical activities and a lay forum. Physicians, industry players, medical society members and patients came in full force to support the event.

The half-day commemoration was intended to raise awareness and broader understanding of diabetes in order to encourage more Filipinos to be conscious of their health and their potential to acquire such a chronic disease.

It has been estimated that the prevalence of diabetes in Asia will increase two- to three-fold in the next 20 years. By then, the Philippines will be included in the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world.

“LRI is in full support of Diabetes Philippines’ ‘war’ against diabetes. We believe that if Filipinos are well educated about the disease, there is a greater chance for us to curb this illness. Most people are not too conscious of their health despite the fact that other family members who have diabetes are enough indication that the rest of the family are at risk of acquiring the same condition,” says Dr. Robert Castro, LRI medical director.

“We have to keep on reminding the public about the threat of diabetes and encourage people to have their regular check-ups to arrest its increasing incidence and to avoid serious complications,” he adds.

LRI has been in the industry for 19 years. As one of the business divisions of Unilab, the country’s largest healthcare company, it offers the most comprehensive and best-value endometabolic healthcare solutions.

This year, LRI will intensify its campaign to promote awareness and active steps to manage diabetes, touted to be a silent epidemic.