LGU supports healthy living advocacy groups
SAN SIMON - The local government of San Simon recently renewed its commitment in supporting advocacy groups promoting healthy living among Simonians, especially hypertensive and diabetic individuals in this town.
This was gleaned during the twin celebration of the fourth year anniversary of the Simonian Hypertensive Club and fifth year anniversary of the Simonian Diabetic Club held at the municipal covered court on Friday.
Mayor Leonora Wong, a health advocate herself, led the celebration attended by Simonians enduring non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension which victimize individuals both young and old.
Wong disclosed that her advocacy stems from her personal experience where her late mother also suffered from diabetes which triggered different complications that later led to her demise.
And as an individual also suffering an illness, Wong said she also shares the same sentiments with the participants on the cost of numerous medicines that must be strictly taken, and the limitations it entails.
“I knew the feeling of having a family member suffering hypertension. Although classified as non-terminal disease,
the maintenance medicines as well as the precautions that must be taken and observed are also strict,” she said.
During the celebration sponsored by the local government, around 650 participants who are part of the 2,400 Simonian Hypertensive and Diabetic Club received medicines, blood glucose monitoring machines and diabetes strips.
The giveaways will lessen the daily expenses of the patients, especially elderly that belong to financially unstable families, Wong stressed.
The Municipal Health Office led by Dr. Marline Bagtas also conducted lectures on maintaining the health security of the person as both diabetes and hypertension are considered non-curable diseases.
Meanwhile, former Mayor Rodrigo “Digos” Canlas also graced the said celebration to show his support to the patients, especially that he himself is a diabetic patient.
Canlas shared some tips to his fellow diabetic patients on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle amid the disease they are experiencing to ensure that everybody will still live a full life with their respective families.
“Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods. Of course, follow the advice of doctors especially on food and activities that are not allowed for us. I know it is hard and costly, but as much as possible let us also be strict with our diet and our medicines for our own good,” he said.
Canlas extended financial assistance to the patients for their daily medications and purchase of healthy food.