Expanded Initiative Against Chronic Kidney Disease Targets 12 Additional Provinces in the Philippines
MANILA: In a significant move to curb the spread of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has joined forces with AstraZeneca and several health advocacy groups. This collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, includes 12 provincial governments and marks a substantial escalation in the fight against CKD.
According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City during the signing ceremony, the partnership aims to address cardio-renal complications stemming from diabetes and hypertension. The initiative, known as the Addressing Complications Today through Network of Warriors (ACT NOW) for CKD program, seeks to enhance awareness and encourage early screening for CKD. Abalos highlighted the critical role local government units (LGUs) can play in combating the disease, noting that approximately 2.3 million Filipinos are currently affected by CKD.
The ACT NOW for CKD program will now include the provinces of Quirino, Aurora, Cavite, Quezon, Sorsogon, Samar, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Sarangani. This expansion promises to provide over one million Filipinos with access to free Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio (UACR) tests, a key component in CKD screening and prevention. Previously, the program had been implemented in several other regions, including Baguio, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, San Fernando (La Union), and Pampanga.
Abalos further emphasized the cost-effectiveness of the initiative, highlighting the potential savings compared to standard hospital fees for such tests. Dr. Francis Pasaporte, the immediate past president of Diabetes Philippines, underscored the importance of educating healthcare professionals and empowering patients in the fight against CKD.
AstraZeneca Philippines country president Lotis Ramin reaffirmed the pharmaceutical company’s commitment to impactful partnerships that address the comprehensive needs of patients with chronic kidney disease. The ACT NOW for CKD program represents a collaborative effort involving various organizations, including the DILG, Diabetes Philippines, AstraZeneca Philippines, the Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators, the Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators of the Philippines, Dialysis PH Support Group, Inc., the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines, Inc., and the Philippine Diabetes Support and Awareness Group Inc.