The City Health Office (CHO) regularly dedicates Fridays to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes care.
Dr. Shri Angelo Reyes, CHO Non-Communicable Diseases Medical Coordinator, said during the I-Speak Media forum on Thursday that the CVD program opens at 8 am to and closes at 5 pm every Friday.
During the Friday, patients are assessed, screened- and diagnosed and provided with details on disease management.
He said that seeking consultations is a must for the 11,750 individuals with Type 2 diabetes recorded from January to June 2025.
While diabetes is not a CVD in itself, people with the disease are at a higher risk of heart diseases and stroke.
The factors that contribute to diabetes is family history, lifestyle, weight, lack of physical activity, and age, usually 40 and above. Poor diet, and the existence of other diseases such as hypertension are also among the factors.
“Based on my experience naa sa line of 30s above na, so dati if you have diabetes you are usually diagnosed at the age of 40 usually. Nagkabata gyud siya, 30 and above (Based on my experience those who are diagnosed now are aged 30 and above. In the past, those diagnosed are at age 40. Those who are diagnosed now are getting younger, 30 and above),” Reyes said.
Reyes clarified that diabetes screening tests such Random Blood Sugar and Fasting Blood Sugar are available in health centers.
RBS can be availed of in barangay health stations for a minimal fee of Php 50 or for free, depending on the barangay. The district health centers offer RBS for the same fee and Php120 for FBS.
However, Reyes said that if a patient is enrolled with Philhealth Konsulta the screening will be offered for free.
Reyes encouraged Dabawenyos to go to their health stations first for initial assessment and for recording.
“After that they would go to the district if they will see that they should be referred to the doctors,” Reyes said. CIO
