DOH steps up advocacy campaign on renal disease control
San Jose, Antique -- In response to the increasing prevalence of renal diseases in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) stepped up its advocacy campaign on Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) tapping the support of the Department of Education, Local Government Units and the Philippine Information Agency.
Dr. Marilyn W. Convocar, REDCOP Coordinator for Region 6 in a meeting reported that Renal Diseases ranked no. 7 in the leading causes of mortality and urinary tract infections was the 10th leading cause of morbidity in Region 6 in 2005.
"We need to employ prevention strategies, through public awareness and early detection, the reason why we need mass media support and the screening should start from the school children," Convocar said. Information Officers from different national agencies and local government units and private media practitioners can help a lot in promoting healthy lifestyle by disseminating information on healthy diet, regular physical exercises and no smoking tips, she emphasized.
DOH data revealed that out of 6 million public school children in the country screened, 22% or 1.3 million were identified with significant urine abnormality. With this data, Convocar solicited the support of the Department of Education and the local government units determining urine abnormality in children which later can lead to a serious kidney problem. She further urged LGUs to support the urinalysis of children upon enrolment during the opening of the school year.
Furthermore, REDCOP aims to determine the prevalence of urine abnormality among school children Grades 1- 6 all over the country to identify the causes so that treatment measures can be initiated early to possible prevent progression of the identified urine abnormality or renal diseases to more serious ailment that will require expensive treatment.
Formerly called Preventive Nephrology project which started in 1994, REDCOP goal is to reduce mortality and morbidity from kidney and End Stage Renal Diseases (ESRD) in the Philippines through comprehensive public health program and integrated approach on renal disease management.
In Region 6, Renal Disease Registry showed that the Province of Iloilo ranked 1 with 248 patients undergoing dialysis in 7 Dialysis Centers which also catered to patients from the province of Antique.
Negros Occidental ranked second with 196 patients availing the services of 5 dialysis centers while Aklan and Capiz has 2 dialysis center each and have served 24 and 21 patients respectively.
DOH Region 6 expressed optimism that REDCOP program will be successful with the support of major program stakeholders and barangay health frontliners who are Barangay Health Workers and Nutrition Scholars who are trained