THE mobile diabetic retinopathy screening of Department of Health – Ilocos Region and Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center – Opthalmology Department visited the town of Bangar in La Union to provide free services for patients with diabetes on November 24-25, 2022.
Francisco de Vera Jr., Regional Program Manager of Essential Non-Communicable Disease stated that the mobile screening will continue next year to accommodate patients who were not able to attend the two-day activities held in various municipalities of the province.
“Sa ngayon, this will be the last for this year at next year napo natin ito itutuloy. Marami pa pong mga request ang ating mga LGUs at iyon po ang pupuntahan namin sa susunod na taon upang mabigyan ng serbisyo ang ating mga kababayan na mayroong diabetes.”
“Karamihan sa ating mga pasyente ay mga elderly na at hirap na ring bumiyahe upang makapunta ng hospital at magpasuri sa mga espeyalista kaya’t dadalhin na namin ang mga kailangan nilang serbisyo para mapangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan,” De Vera emphasized.
Among the services provided during the two-day diabetic retinopathy screening includes visual acuity, systemic consultation, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy, stereoscopic color film fundus photography, fluorescein angiography and free eyeglasses
The free diabetic retinopathy screening was launched on April 5, 2022 in Barangay Catbangen in San Fernando City. A total of 2,035 has been screened, 217 were diagnosed with cataract and were given referral for operation, 150 were provided treatment and 70% of the total screened were given free eyeglasses.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco expressed her gratitude for the local government units who supported the activity. “Sa mga hindi pa nakapag-avail ng free diabetic screening services, please take the opportunity next year, as we will again conduct another round.”
“Screening for the identification of diabetic retinopathy is very important. We need everyone’s support and participation to improve the health seeking behaviors among patients with diabetes in the communities so that we can further improve their health seeking behavior and compliance for continued care.”
“Panghabang buhay ang sakit na diabetes kaya’t pangalagaan nating mabuti ang ating kalusugan upang hindi ito mauwi sa anumang komplikasyon,” Sydiongo encouraged.
The mobile diabetic retinopathy screening has already visited the towns of Aringay, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, Bauang, Bangar and San Fernando City.
