MANILA, Philippines ? For being able to recognize diabetes as a future health threat in the ?60s, Doctor Ricardo Fernando is now regarded by many as the country?s father of diabetology.

?In those days, there was really no doctor who specializes in treating diabetes-related diseases. In fact, even the medical community believed that problems suffered by people with diabetes, including blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage, were just part of the disease and completely unavoidable,? said Dr. Araceli Panelo, executive director of the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation.

Indeed, times have changed and as Fernando predicted, diabetes went on to become one of the most prevalent and serious diseases in the Philippines (and elsewhere in the world).

Fortunately, understanding has improved as a number of Filipino doctors are now more knowledgeable about the disease and its management, thanks to the efforts of Fernando and the ISDF, which he founded in 1989.

?Through his initiative the ISDF was able to train a number of doctors around the country who now could deliver excellent and humane diabetes care. But we need to train more as we face a very formidable foe,? said Panelo who was among the first ?graduates? of a training course that Fernando initiated through ISDF.

She reported that in a 1982-1983 national diabetes survey, only 4.1 percent of Filipinos have the disease.

That figure has jumped so drastically after the 2007 Philippine Cardiovascular Outcome Study on Diabetes Mellitus survey that found 20.6 percent of the adult population, or persons aged 30 and above, now have the disease.

That same study also reported that 26.2 percent of respondents had ?impaired fasting glucose? levels while another 23 percent had ?impaired glucose tolerance? levels. Having these two conditions mean the person is on the verge of becoming diabetic unless he or she changes lifestyle.

?As ISDF celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are also recognizing the sacrifices as well as foresight of Fernando, who celebrates his 80th birthday. This is where we got the idea to call this year?s celebration, 80/20 Foundation Day,? Panelo explained.

Formal launch

Panelo said one of the highlights of the weeklong 80/20 celebration is the formal launch of ISDF?s Center for Diabetes Care located in their head office in Marikina City (Apitong Street, Marikina Heights).

?This is a one-stop center where a diabetic individual may go to have his/her lipid profile assessed or A1c or glycated hemoglobin tested (these two are parameters that doctors use to manage their patient?s diabetes), ask a nurse or nutritionist about anything regarding diabetes,? Panelo explained.

She added that a similar center has been set up in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.

?Our goal is to set up a CDC in every city and major municipality here in the Philippines. The idea is for diabetic individuals, wherever they may be located, to easily access a doctor for proper treatment or management of diabetes. To provide standard care and service these centers will be manned by ISDF alumni, who will then be accessed regularly by ISDF,? said Panelo.

Mass education

As what the ISDF and its partners have been doing regularly, Panelo said these centers would conduct mass education among communities to correct several misunderstandings that have contributed to the neglect of this chronic disease.

?With more than 500 new diabetics detected every day in the country, the presence of CDC in cities and major municipalities would be very crucial,? Panelo explained.

While making changes in diet and exercise is important in diabetes management, routine medical care?like anti-diabetes medications and insulin?is also important to long-term management of diabetes, particularly when it comes to preventing or slowing its progression to more deadly complications, she said.