Health experts urge women to eat right to avoid NCDs
April 16, 2023Herbosa urged to implement policies on non-communicable disease prevention, control
July 7, 2023
The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), a network of organizations working towards noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control, is counting on the continued and full enforcement of the government’s health policies, especially those related to NCDs, following the appointment of Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as new Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).
The HPA, together with its member organizations, added they expect to maintain a mutual commitment with the DOH to tackle NCDs head on in the context of implementing Universal Health Care.
“Regardless of leadership change, we have to ensure continuity and uninterrupted enforcement of the multiple strategies to prevent and control NCDs in the country. We have already made significant strides with action plans and legislations already in place that address NCDs and its chief risk factors, namely tobacco use, alcohol drinking, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, a former Health Secretary and a current member of HPA.
The HPA stressed that consistency is key in carrying out existing DOH programs such as those covering health package interventions, benefits, and access to medicines for the management of hypertension and diabetes, cancer prevention, and other NCDs.
Meanwhile, current laws addressing NCDs include Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Law, Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Law, Republic Act 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Law, and Executive Order No. 106 or the Establishment of Smoke-free and Vape-free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places, to name a few.
The HPA further emphasized that government can do more by mobilizing LGUs to intensify implementation of policies that encourage healthy eating and diet to combat NCDs. Examples of these policies are the imposition of health taxes on unhealthy products, regulation of advertisements of unhealthy food to children, mandatory front of pack labelling on food products, and elimination of trans fat in food.
“We want to achieve a shift to healthier food consumption patterns to prevent NCDs. With this, we need wider access to quality food from farm to table, enhanced consumer education or awareness campaigns so people are able to comprehend the risks and make better food choices, and a more inclusive nutrition counseling program for patients living with NCDs,” said Leyden Florido, Board Member of Diabetes Philippines, a member organization of the HPA.
In the Philippines, NCDs like cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, account for 70% of total deaths.
In 2022, ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death killing about 114,500 Filipinos, while neoplasms or cancers came in second with more than 63,300 deaths, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Cerebrovascular diseases like stroke were the third, followed by diabetes, and hypertensive diseases.
Contact Person :
Mariz Wee
Media Consultant, Healthy Philippines Alliance
09988851080
stelamarieamante@gmail.com
