Project to assist the people of the Philippines
It is estimated that 116 million people live in the Philippines, and whilst there is no definitive statistic for the incidence of diabetes recent data from 2024 shows an estimated 4.3 million Filipinos have been diagnosed with diabetes with another 2.8 million people undiagnosed [1]. Which equates to 1 in 4 people with diabetes.
In 2013 in response to the Cebu earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan (known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines) in November 2013, Insulin for Life collected and delivered 16,900 mls of insulin, 7,000 test strips, 1,600 syringes, 8,700 pen needles, 58 glucose meters 4600 lancets and 100 insulin pens to clinics in Cebu and Dumaguete. Since this disaster activated response Insulin for Life continued support with the aim to work with partner organisations such as IDAF of Japan, local diabetes associations such as the Negros Island Diabetes Association to provide insulin and diabetes supplies to clinics in many cities including Dumaguete, Cebu, Bacolad City in the Philippines.
At these cities the group provides diabetes information and runs diabetes testing programs, measuring blood glucose levels and if needed HbA1c levels. Our team also visits prisons, testing the blood glucose levels of inmates to identify those with diabetes and to distribute supplies and provide diabetes education.
On one recent visit Insulin for Life conducted a one-day diabetes Blood Glucose testing program sponsored by Armi Garcia’s Sweet Alert organisation from Cebu at the Corazon Aquino Hospital, Dipolog. Approximately, 170 diabetes patients were tested and extremely high blood glucose levels was identified in 5 people who required immediate admission to hospital. Highlighting the need for improvement in access to supplies, education and support for people with diabetes in the Philippines.
