AstraZeneca and Diabetes Philippines Launch Movement to Combat a Disease Affecting Millions of Filipinos

(L-R) Dr. Fatma Tiu and Dr. Rey Rosales of Diabetes Philippines, Dr. Cyril Tolosa from AstraZeneca, and Mr. Reynaldo Abacan Jr. are united in the call to stop diabetes in a media conference held at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

Coinciding with World Diabetes Day, Diabetes Philippines and AstraZeneca officially launched the ‘STOP Diabetes ACT NOW,’ issuing an urgent call for Filipinos to have earlier screening for diabetes, a lifestyle disease affecting 4.7 million Filipino adults1 and the fifth leading cause of death in the country,2 and to significantly reduce the risk of developing severe life-threatening complications.

With the theme “Driving Better Diabetes Outcomes Through Early Screening and Holistic Care,” the speakers discussed Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), the most common type of diabetes, and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a severe complication usually caused by T2D.

“As we celebrate World Diabetes Day, we in the medical community, as well as our patient partners, sound the bell to ACT NOW,” Dr. Francis Pasaporte, past president of Diabetes Philippines, said.

Understanding T2D

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't make enough insulin.3 Insulin is a vital hormone that helps sugar, particularly glucose, be used for energy. When this process doesn't work efficiently, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Left unmanaged, this can lead to several complications, such as Chronic Kidney Disease, where around 40% of T2D patients develop during their lifetime.

According to the latest report from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 7.5% or an estimated 4.7 million Filipinos aged 20-79 years old are living with the disease.1 

Alarmingly, the same statistics also show that an estimated 53.5% of adults in the country remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for early screening of T2D to prevent disease progression.

The Philippine Statistics Authority also reported that diabetes was the fifth leading cause of mortality among Filipinos in 2024,2 emphasizing its severe impact on national health.

Dr. Fatma Tiu, President of Diabetes Philippines, highlights the growing burden of diabetes in Filipino families and highlights the shared responsibility behind the STOP Diabetes: ACT NOW movement during the interactive discussion, the World Diabetes Day Agham Kapihan.   

“Diabetes is a big problem that is affecting our nation,” Dr. Rey Rosales, Treasurer of Diabetes Philippines, said, “Which is why early screening is one of the most powerful tools we have to save lives and prevent severe complications such as CKD.”

STOP Diabetes, ACT NOW

Dr. Rey Rosales discussed the burden of diabetes, saying that 7 out of 10 working-class Filipinos are affected by diabetes, impacting their most productive years.

To unite in their call to halt the further progression of diabetes and its complications, healthcare experts, patient advocates, and partner organizations came together to launch the STOP Diabetes, ACT NOW campaign, encouraging Filipinos to get early screening and undergo treatment. 

“Our battle cry has always been the diabetics of tomorrow will come from the children of today,” Dr. Fatma Tiu, President of  Diabetes Philippines, said. “We don’t need to look far—we will start by screening the family members of our diabetic patients, and through the Stop Diabetes program, we will create clinics all over the country utilizing PhilHealth programs.”

Patient advocates present in the forum shared how mindful eating and early screening can change lives for people, especially for avoiding severe complications like CKD.

“I hope more people become aware of the food they eat,” Arch. Cynthia Clemen Y. Duntz, president of the Diabetes Advocacy Society Inc., said. “In our community, we are science-based; we have members who are also endocrinologists, and they give their recommendations on what’s best.”

“Let's get ourselves screened,” Reynaldo Abacan Jr, President of Dialysis PH, said. “Even if we don’t feel any symptoms at the moment, we might have developed the disease already. Which is why early screening is important, so we can give people the chance to implement lifestyle changes and get treatment.”

A representative from state-backed health insurer PhilHealth assured that members can receive financial assistance from the government through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) package.

Dr. Lydia Labro of PhilHealth introduces updates to the YAKAP Program, including the addition of early diabetes screening to help Filipinos access know their status and get immediate care.

“We are now focusing not just on the curative, but also on the preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, and palliative,” Dr. Lydia Labro, representative for PhilHealth, said. “Under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Para sa Lahat program, we cover primary care consultations, essential diagnostic tests like HbA1c, which includes essential anti-diabetic medicine, so that every member can focus on their treatment.”

“Our bold ambition is to reduce and ultimately eliminate complications and deaths because of cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes.” Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director at AstraZeneca Philippines, said. “We've been continuously partnering with diabetes educators, patient groups, local government units, our doctors in the clinics, and drugstore chains to continuously look for these patients who have diabetes and screen them for kidney disease.”

Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Medical Affairs Director of AstraZeneca Philippines, highlights the company’s goal of eliminating deaths from cardiometabolic diseases and its partnerships to strengthen early diabetes and kidney disease screening.

To close the event, Dr. Nines Bautista, Vice President of Diabetes Philippines, reiterated the call for early screening and immediate treatment for diabetes.

“Let us renew our shared commitment to the call to action of Diabetes Philippines to STOP Diabetes, ACT NOW,” Dr. Bautista said. “We can make a lasting impact by promoting early screening, issuing prompt and effective treatment, and optimizing the management of co-morbid conditions and preventing the serious complications of diabetes.”

“Today, we are reminded that diabetes is not just a medical condition but a public health and a social concern that touches families and communities across our nation,” Dr. Bautista added. “Through awareness, education, and united action, we can empower every Filipino to live healthier, longer, and more fulfilling lives,” he added.

The event concluded with a commitment exercise, calling on everyone to involve their communities and help Filipinos take charge of their health and stop diabetes in its tracks.