Employees of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur take their medical examination every year to know their health status.
In the latest exam they took, it was found out that among the 280 employees who underwent the annual medical examination, 41 or 13.95% were pre-diabetic, and 33 or 11.22% were overtly diabetic.
This prompted the university to take an initiative in opening a center for diabetes care, which is the first in the province.
In a board resolution, the university said it is a response to the growing number of pre-overtly diabetic not only in UNP but also in the entire province of Ilocos Sur.
“At the same time marami ng diabetic ngayon. Dito sa Pilipinas, sa dalawang pasyente, isa sa kanila ang hindi aware na diabetic pala sila. Kaya every six seconds ay may namamatay dahil sa complication na caused by diabetes,” Dr. Marsha Michelle Cabuena, officer-in-charge (OIC) hospital administrator, said in an interview.
“The university hospital would like to be a relevant change advocate in the field of diabetes and help in curbing the increasing epidemic of diabetes in the country,” the resolution added.
Dr. Cabuena said it offers various services which include diet and diabetes education, complete laboratory and services from the ophthalmologist, nephrologist, plastic surgeon and wound care nurse, cardiologist, and neurologist on board.
“We have a nutritionist-dietician who teaches our patients on proper diet and we also have a diabetes educator to teach on diabetes kasi sobrang importante na alam ng mga patients kung ano iyong sakit nila para mas maintindihan nila ito kasi if hindi nila ito maintindihan, malaki ang chance na ibabalewala nila ito,” she said.
The project also aims to improve and expand the health services of the hospital to the UNP community, provide better training for students in the medical and allied professions, and serve as a platform for additional research.
“The center aims to provide a holistic approach to the care of diabetic patients. It will utilize a multidisciplinary approach in the care of diabetics, with or without complications, high-risk groups, and even pre-diabetics,” Dr. Cabuena added.
As for UNP employees and students, Dr. Cabuena said they can avail 10% discount of the center’s services.
These are the following project contacts of the center: Dr. Leorino Sobrepena (executive committee head); Dr. Cabuena (OIC hospital administrator); Dr. Rodela Quitevis (OIC chief of clinics); Dr. Peeble Agdamag (cardiologist); Dr. Trish de Grano (plastic surgeon); Dr. Rhea Narag (nephrologist); Dr. Faye Navarrete (ophthalmologist); Dr. Vida Andal (neurologist); Laryelle Quilala (chief nurse); Angeline Andia (diabetes educator); and Faye Sabado (nutritionist-dietician).
Visit or message the official Facebook account of the UNP hospital at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086496822120 or the page of the UNP at https://www.facebook.com/the0fficialUNP for more information. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
