c.

) Tertiary Prevention
Tertiary prevention differs from the first two categories. It focuses on lowering the long-term effects of
the disease by assisting patients in managing their illnesses and chronic symptoms. Tertiary prevention
aims to create an enhanced quality of life while also increasing overall life expectancy by preventing
difficulties in the future. Tertiary prevention is the most expensive and time-consuming for the healthcare
system because of the high expenditures of surgery and the ongoing management of chronic disease
through medicine and rehabilitation.
Promoting Holistic Mental Health Wellness
According to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), there has been a considerable increase in
monthly hotline calls regarding depression as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, with numbers
increasing from 80 calls prior to the lockdown to over 400 calls currently. These figures highlight the
need for additional dialogues and activities to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental health.
Filipinos frequently may not feel comfortable discussing their mental health problems for fear of being
alienated or prejudiced by their peers.
To address mental health issues, the Department of Health adopted a multi-sectoral approach that includes
programs and interventions in a variety of venues directed at high-risk groups. On the 2nd of May, the
National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline established the "Kamusta Ka? Tara Usap Tayo," a
psychosocial service hotline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate
psychological first assistance. The “UPD PsychServ” also offered free telephone therapy to first
responders through their network of contacts. The Mental Health Act, also known as RA 11036, requires
the provision of broad suicide prevention services, which include crisis intervention and a response
strategy, on a national scale, to all people in need.
https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/10-09-2020-doh-and-who-promote-holistic-mental-health-
wellness-in-light-of-world-suicide-prevention-day

Free Medicine to Filipino patients diagnosed with diabetes

During World Diabetes Day (WDD) celebrations Thursday, November 23, the DOH, along with non-
government and private sector partners, urged Filipinos to take early preventive action against diabetes.
Be Risk Aware.
WDD was celebrated at the Quezon Memorial Circle with about 1000 participants from the public, non-
profit, and private sectors. Activities included a parade/walk around the circle, Zumba, free diabetes
screenings, and the creation of a human blue circle, the global symbol of diabetes awareness. A lay forum
was also held to educate participants on diabetes and its risk factors.
According to the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, diabetes is the 6th leading cause
of death among Filipinos. It is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
due to insufficient insulin production or action. Diabetes uncontrolled causes serious complications like
stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes retinopathy caused 5% of global
blindness in 2002.
The DOH, as the country's leading public health agency, leads nationwide efforts to prevent and control
diabetes and its complications. For more information, visit www.doh.gov.ph/diabetes-risk-screening. The
DOH also provides free oral anti-diabetes medications and insulin to Filipino diabetics. The DOH has
formed a cooperation with the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM)
to empower and train primary healthcare workers in diabetes management. Over 1,700 health care
practitioners were previously trained across the country.
https://doh.gov.ph/node/11786