The Department of Health—Calabarzon has concluded its first Non-Communicable Disease Health Fair for officers and members of hypertension and diabetes clubs in the region.
DOH Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said government established hypertension and diabetes clubs in 2016 to boost efforts at combating NCDs.
“It is very important for us to sustain the services of these organizations to properly care for the sick because they are at the forefront of disseminating right information on health and giving free maintenance medicines and medical checkup to patients,” he said.
“These clubs will also serve as support groups in the communities and will ensure that appropriate treatment and management will be provided to all patients,” Janario added.
The DOH Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Center reported a total of 600,000 patients registered nationwide in hypertension and diabetes clubs.
To become a registered member, a patient must consult with the nearest health center or primary health care facility in the community for proper assessment, screening and management using the Philippine Package of Essential NCD Intervention protocol.
A registered member is entitled to free maintenance drugs for hypertension (Losartan, Amlodipine, Metoprolol) and diabetes (Metformin).
“To fight and eliminate NCDs, it is important to practice healthy lifestyle choices early in our life. All of the municipalities in Rizal and Batangas have established their hypertension and diabetes clubs,” said Marilou Espiritu, Medical Office III and head of the NCD Cluster.
