#PanataNgPamilya: Working Towards a Diabetes-Free and Healthier Philippines

For World Diabetes Day, Sanofi enjoins all Filipino families to work together for a diabetes-free and healthier Philippines. Let’s learn more about how to prevent and manage this chronic disease for a healthier family and a stronger nation.

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The Road to a Diabetes-Free and Healthier Philippines

The Philippines has one of the highest cases of diabetes in the Southeast Asian region. Two years ago, statistics show that we have 5 million cases in a population of 100 million. That’s a staggering 5% of the population and that number only reflects those that have already been diagnosed.

Needless to say, the Filipino people are at high-risk for diabetes and other chronic illnesses related to high blood sugar. The two related lifestyle diseases are hypertension and kidney disease.

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When a family member gets stricken by diabetes and its complications, the whole family is affected because of the emotional and physical distress. Add to that the expenses of medications and therapy, the family will really incur financial problems when these diseases happen.

That is why it is important for family members to understand more about diabetes and how to prevent it.

How Can You Learn More About Diabetes?

The first step towards achieving a diabetes-free and healthier Philippines is awareness.

With all the information everywhere about this lifestyle disease, we can easily learn about diabetes and how to prevent it.

We all know that diabetes is blood sugar levels that become too high and is causing our system to go bonkers.

However, you also have to be sure that you are getting reliable information. Here are the ways:

• Take classes to learn more about living with diabetes. To find a reputable class, check with your family doctor or you may also search online.
• Join a support group to get peer support with managing your diabetes. At this point in the Covid-19 pandemic, it is best to take classes online.

Caring for a Family Member with Diabetes

My mother-in-law’s side of the family has a history of diabetes. Moreover, despite her diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle, she finds that her blood sugar levels could still reach borderline limits. 

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With that understanding, she takes good care of herself. She is very strict with her diet in order to prevent the onset of diabetes. That means less intake of sweets and very little rice. In order to keep diabetes at bay from the family, she also reminds us to eat desserts moderately. And that is very hard because Bacolod City is Sugarlandia: home of sugarcane and the best desserts!

While Mama does drink fruit juice concentrates from time to time, she dilutes it with a lot of water. And she never drinks soda. She is very careful about her health because she doesn’t want to be sick or to burden the family. 

Managing this lifestyle disease is a family affair for us.

What if there is a Diabetic in the Family?

Here are some of the necessary steps that each family should take in managing diabetes.

For Patients.

Diabetes is not only a disease but a lifestyle concern, so patients should eat healthily and get regular exercise. Blood sugar levels should also be continually monitored.

For a rice-eating country like the Philippines, it is best to shift to the consumption of colored rice. Eating black, red, or brown rice decreases glycemic response.

For the Family.

The family is the frontliner when it comes to diabetes management. They should ensure that the treatment is being strictly followed, especially for those who have severe cases. The family should also be able to provide emotional support and proper nutrition. 

#PanataNgPamilya ay #PanatangSanofi

Caring for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension involves the whole family. It is indeed a family affair. 

With that, Sanofi has taken the commitment to care for and love the Filipino family. This is their “panata” or pledge to the nation towards a diabetes-free and healthier Philippines.

In caring for the sick, Sanofi promises to truly care for diabetes and chronic disease patients. They join the Filipino family so that we can move together towards a healthier nation.

The company believes that healthcare should be as individual as you are. Just as each person is an individual, with their own strengths and challenges, and type of diabetes. Your type.

This is the lifetime commitment of Sanofi: to help in the disease awareness about diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. They are also committed to supporting patients through holistic healthcare support and education. This will be done through their Empower Patient Support Program.

Stay safe and healthy!

World Diabetes Day

November 14 marks the commemoration of World Diabetes Day.

Sanofi supports this movement to create awareness about diabetes and other chronic diseases that badly affect the family.

The company is promoting overall wellness with the following health protocols:

• -proper nutrition
• -physical activity
• -proper healthcare
• -regular medical checkups
• -getting the right treatment for health problems

Sanofi also underscores the active participation of the family in managing diabetes. The company aims to educate Filipino families on how they can pursue proper wellness for a healthier and normal life. Collectively, this will lead to a diabetes-free and Healthier Philippines.

Working Hand in Hand Towards a Healthier Philippines

Sanofi is a healthcare institution with a solid background and track record related to Diabetes care. They are in a good position to continue to be a loud voice in advocating programs to bring down the prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines.

The company has realized that Filipinos have a general reluctance towards seeking medical help. Our rich cultural beliefs and practices prevent us from seeking help because of our resilience and self-reliance. With that, health services become a last resort or when problems become severe. 

Sometimes, the reasons include financial constraints, inaccessibility of medical services, and lack of awareness in keeping a healthy lifestyle. All these contribute to affect our health because early diagnosis and risk reduction are taken out of the picture. 

Visit https://www.sanofi.ph/ for more information. 

Sanofi wants to change our way of thinking. They want to have a whole-of-society approach in healthcare programs and policies. Therefore, they are urging everyone to be responsible for promoting better health for everyone. 

In order to attain a Healthier Philippines, Sanofi is encouraging every Filipino to take health as a serious concern. This is the only way to achieve a healthier and stronger nation.