Docs urged: Take action vs 'lifestyle diseases'

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) urged doctors yesterday to “stand up and take action” on the rising cases of “lifestyle diseases in the country.

PCP president Dr. Norbert Uy said 60 percent of the total deaths in the country were caused by non-communicable diseases such as heart attack, stroke, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

“Recognizing this major health concern, we have to take concrete actions on the health care systems that should be redesigned to deliver chronic care founded on primary health care facilities, efficient surveillance on the magnitude of the problem and study the effects of interventions, and getting involved with government and the different social sectors,” Uy said in a press conference.

The PCP had committed to take “major steps in partnership with the government and private sector to save countless lives especially the young and the poor sector of society,” he said.

The PCP intends to embark on various interventions to address the major risk factors coming from “tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.”

Uy added that their “learning strategy” would be carried out through health education in school and public awareness through the media.

“The doctors will help increase the capacity of rural doctors and barangay health workers and advocate for local ordinances promoting smoke-free environment, healthy lifestyle and physical activity,” he said.

According to PCP treasurer Dr. Tony Leachon, doctors can no longer ignore and “watch this epidemic unfold in their midst.”

“We will promote learning among the people, move local government into action and advocate for effective legislations on curbing the smoking epidemic, and promoting healthy diet and physical activity,” Leachon said.

He added that the PCP will be “more active in legislative advocacy” to urge lawmakers to pass the “sin tax” reform law of the Aquino administration “that will effectively discourage smoking among the young and the poor and save them from contracting the deadly tobacco-related diseases.”

As part of the campaign, doctors will use the “healthy lifestyle prescription” routinely to underscore the need for patients to “be smoke-free, eat healthy diet and have regular exercises.”