Budget for anti-diabetes section ok’d

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay health centers in Cebu City will soon have their own diabetes section after the City Council approved an ordinance appropriating funds for its establishment.

During its recent regular session, the council approved the ordinance authored by Councilor Alvin Arcilla, who aims to have the cases of diabetes in the city monitored and reduced.

The rate of diabetes cases is increasing, Arcilla said, and has affected 9.7 percent of the adult population in 2012. By 2030, diabetic Filipinos are pegged to reach 6.16 million, he added.

 “The City of Cebu, being the most populous and growing metropolis outside Metro Manila, is a naturally high risk city with regards to diabetes considering the diet and lifestyle associated in big and highly urbanized cities like Cebu,” Arcilla stated.

The planned diabetes care section shall be provided with equipment and personnel necessary to carry out programs such as, but not limited to, diabetes diagnostic and prevention, the councilor said.

The City Health Department is tasked to set the guidelines, rules and regulations for the ordinance.

CHD has recommended only 15 health centers that are ready for the section’s establishment based on catchment populations, infrastructure, and personnel complement.

City Health Officer Dr. Daisy Villa identified the barangays capable and ready to implement diabetes care services to patients as Talamban, Mabolo, Apas, Banilad, Pardo, Inayawan, Punta Princesa, Guadalupe, Labangon, Parian, Pasil, Lahug, Barrio Luz, and Tisa, as well as the City Health Department catering Barangays Carreta, Tejero, and T. Padilla.

Villa said these barangays can cater neighboring barangay health centers that can be clustered.

Arcilla, however, said it is a must to establish diabetes care centers in each barangay health center as there are mountain barangays that cannot be clustered.

“I am not amenable because some barangays are far from each other,” the councilor asserted.

Each barangay is allotted at least P5 million for the acquisition of glucometers and test strips and the section’s initial operational cost.

The ordinance further stipulates that every fourth week of July, CHD, in coordination with barangay officials, are tasked to spearhead an awareness program on the ills, causes, and symptoms of the disease for its early detection and prevention. —NSA (FREEMAN)