Diabetes Awareness Week 2026
National Diabetes Awareness Week 2026
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) designated the last week of July as the National Diabetes Awareness Week. This initiative aligns with the global health efforts to address concerns for Diabetes Mellitus as one of the most common metabolic disorders affecting pregnancy. The annual campaign aims to promote early screening to mitigate severe maternal and fetal complications. Furthermore, it advocates for strict monitoring, and advanced clinical treatment for patients whose conditions remain unresponsive to standard medical nutrition therapy. True to its core mission, the Philippine Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (PSMFM) mobilized perinatologists nationwide to join the national celebration. Grounded in the timely theme, “Diabetes Agapan, Kalusugan Ingatan”, healthcare institutions across the Philippine regions rolled out comprehensive community outreach interactive lay forums that offered vital public health services, including: free diagnostic consultations and obstetric ultrasound procedures, tailored nutrition guides and live healthy cooking demonstrations, interactive educational games and specialized, pregnancy-safe exercise regimens. The flagship high-impact event was held at Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Auditorium, 7th floor, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) main building with 60 doctors and 92 catered patients. Welcome Remarks were given by Dr. Alfonso Nunez III, Medical Center Chief II of EAMC, Dr. Maria Clara N. Lopez De Leon Ozaeta, Chairperson, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dr. Nerissa Gracia Nano-De Guzman, Head of the Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dr. Irene Quinio, the PSMFM President, gave the opening remarks. Dr. Lyndsay Rose Ty gave a lecture about Diabetes Mellitus. While, Ms. Renz Annika Daquioag, a Nutritionist-Dietitian, gave a lecture on Diabetes Nutrition Essentials sharing practical dietary strategies for blood sugar management. Dr. Sherri Ann Suplido, the PSMFM Vice-President, gave the closing remarks, reiterating the society’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the health of Filipino mothers and their unborn children.
| Perinatologists | Fellows-in-Training and OB-GYN Residents |
Allied Medical Professionals | Patient participants | |
| Cordillera Administrative Region Bens Palispis Hall, Benguet Provincial Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet |
2 | 2 | 20 | 157 |
| Region I – Northern Luzon Rural Health Unit, Barangay 5 Bantay, Ilocos Sur |
5 | 2 | 7 | 56 |
| Region V – Bicol Bicol Medical Center, Concepcion Grande, Naga City |
5 | 22 | 9 | 91 |
| Region VI – Western Visayas Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Barangay Lantad, Silay City |
4 | 4 | 3 | 72 |
| Region VIII – Eastern Visayas Palo, Leyte |
1 | 2 | 3 | 28 |
| Region X – Northern Mindanao Abella Midway Hospital and N Hotel, Valencia City, Bukidnon and CDO |
5 (75) | – | 13 | 27 |
| Region XI – Southern Mindanao Southern Philippines Medical Center, Bajada Davao City |
10 | 10 | 4 | 82 |
| Region XIII – Caraga Pavilion, Watergate, Butuan City and Barangay Ong Yiu |
1 | – | 42 | 26 |
