As part of the 20th global observance of World Kidney Day, the Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development ramps up campaign efforts to increase kidney health awareness and curb the increasing risks of renal diseases.
Over 100 health leaders from the Rural Health Unit (Unit), Provincial DOH Office (PDOHO), partner dialysis facilities, Provincial and the Municipal Health Offices (MHO), as well as Barangay Health Workers (BHW) from Virac, Catanduanes gathered last March 12, 2026 to reinforce their commitment in increasing health literacy, expanding kidney screening services, and overall reducing end-stage kidney diseases.
Present as well were members from the BUhay pag-ingatan, Risk sa Ating Kalusugan alamin at labanan (BURAK) Club–a hypertension and diabetes mellitus organization formed by the MHO of Virac that functions as a social support network for hypertensive and diabetic clients.
The DOH Bicol Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Cluster (NCDPCC) head, Dr. Raymond Martin A. Corpus, detailed that dialysis patients in Bicol have reached 9,208 as of March 11, 2026, with chronic kidney disease (CKD)—largely driven by untreated diabetes and hypertension—remains a leading cause of renal failure.
CKD is often referred to as a silent disease; usually asymptomatic until advanced stages. Yet, it is also treatable through timely medication or organ transplant.
To enhance renal care accessibility in the region, the DOH Bicol continuously integrates CKD testing within primary care services for high-risk, marginalized populations, utilizing community-based strategies to provide preventative care and early diagnosis.
Moreover, Dr. Corpus calls on the public to adopt these ‘eight golden rules’ for improved kidney health: keep fit and active; eat a healthy diet; check and control your blood sugar; check and control your blood pressure; maintain a healthy fluid intake; don’t smoke; don’t take over-the-counter pills regularly; and get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the risk factors.
The DOH Bicol maintains that early detection and management stand as the most effective measure to preserve kidney function. The public is also urged to practice healthier lifestyle habits in order to minimize susceptibility to kidney-related illnesses.
Source: DOH Bicol CHD