NCDs cause 6 of every 10 Phl deaths

MANILA, Philippines - Non-communicable diseases or NCDs are estimated to cause six of every 10 deaths in the Philippines. And if prevention and control measures are not implemented, this figure will only get worse — soon.

This is according to Sanjay Bapna, general manager of Philips Healthcare, who was one of the presenters at a dinner lecture organized by the ASEAN NCD Network and the AIM’s Dr. Stephen Zuellig Center for Asian Business Transformation.

Bapna revealed that the number of Filipinos who will die from cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other NCDs are set to increase by around 17 percent in the next 10 years.

“While NCD innovations from the Western world are very effective, they are often cost-prohibitive especially for Third World nations like the Philippines,” said Dr. Jeremy Lim, co-founder of the ASEAN NCD Network, during the opening minutes of the lecture titled “Innovations in NCD Management in Southeast Asia.”

The lecture, partly organized by healthcare expert Philips, featured case studies of cost-efficient, tailor-made NCD solutions from Southeast Asian countries.

In attendance were medical specialists from Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, acting director general of the Philippine Food & Drug Administration, was also there to listen to the presenters.

Pioneer package in Pateros

One of the highlights of the evening came from an unlikely source: Pateros.

In 2011, the World Health Organization successfully rolled out its Package of Essential Non-communicable disease interventions in the municipality. The “PEN” is a cost-efficient framework implemented by local health officials to strengthen primary NCD healthcare in the town.

“In accordance with the WHO’s revised NCD treatment and management guidelines, we screen our NCD patients thoroughly,” said Dr. Ronald Raymundo, Pateros health officer. “We perform routine monitoring and usually administer the necessary medications ourselves.”

“The project is still in its early stages,” said Raymundo. “We’d have to wait five to 10 years to see its full impact, but the results so far have been very promising.” He added that the municipal government also supports the project by setting environmental interventions and launching healthy lifestyle campaigns.

As the first to implement the WHO PEN diseases interventions in the country, Pateros will serve as a model for other municipalities to follow.

Other NCD success stories

The Philippines does not have to look far to find inspiration in its fight against NCDs.

In Malaysia, Dr. Beena Devi toured Sarawak to educate ethnic groups with limited access to medical care about simple early-detection methods for breast cancer.

Likewise, Dr. Paisan Ruamviboonsuk traveled to remote sectors of Bangkok, Thailand to teach citizens how to screen for indicators of forthcoming diabetic blindness.

Both these NCD innovations continue to be successful and are highly regarded by the global medical community.

Support the public, engage the private

“It is critical to translate theories into action because that would lead to better and real health outcomes for our people,” Hartigan-Go said during the closing minutes of the lecture.

Innovative programs like the PEN are designed to complement existing efforts of government agencies and non-government organizations in the Philippines. However, such programs need support from the private sector in order to flourish.

“To lessen the impact of NCDs on individuals and society, a comprehensive approach is needed where all sectors work together to reduce the risks associated with NCDs, as well as promote the interventions to prevent and control them,” concluded Bapna.