MADELENE CALALO JIAO
In July 2018, we were at the early stages of crafting a health program for our first LifeScience Institute (LSI) community engagement in Nasugbu, Batangas. Before anything else, we needed to know how to provide healthcare at the grassroots, so I took the time to interview local health leaders of one of the barangays. I inquired about their health initiative and learned that they gave free medications for managing chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes as part of government programs.
They were doing this for many years already, so I was curious to know if they saw any health improvement in their community. I asked them, “Were you able to observe a decrease in the number of people suffering from hypertension and diabetes with the free medications you are giving?” “Yes,” the head midwife replied, “but only because the people eventually died.”
I found it interesting that she said “people eventually died” in a matter-of-fact way. I realized that it’s actually a mindset that many of us embrace– a belief that conditions like hypertension and diabetes are things that we can only live with once we get “infected.” We need to take medications to somehow manage them, but it’s only a matter of time before we eventually expire. There’s nothing more we can do about it.
It doesn’t sound very hopeful, does it?
I’m thankful that my experience as a Nutritionist-Dietitian has taught me otherwise and I can confidently say that this mindset is not valid. I have witnessed several individuals successfully manage their chronic conditions and relieve themselves from the need of medications. They achieved this by proactively changing the way they think and live. From their example, we can do the same, and I firmly believe that God, by His abundant grace, has provided us the ability to do so.
Diabetes and hypertension are categorized as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) along with cancer, heart disease, mental health issues, and other illnesses that are not contagious. NCDs are also called lifestyle diseases, meaning that they do not just happen overnight, but slowly develop as a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. Thus, in both managing and preventing NCDs, we need more than just medications. We need to address its root-cause – lifestyle – and start adapting habits that would build our resilience against disease.
Living healthily through proper nutrition, adequate sleep & relaxation, regular movement & exercise, stress management, and maintaining supportive relationships is the primary way to support our amazing immune system that consistently defends and repairs our cells from the many environmental insults we face. Think of it as well as our act of stewardship – our duty and our thanksgiving to God who made us.
I believe God has supplied us too with the needed resources to adopt better habits: land that can produce good food, breath that helps us manage stress, relationships that support us, and time for both exercise and rest. If we think about it, most of the needed lifestyle changes are free, so let’s use them to our advantage!
OUR HEALTH MISSION
Since the mid-1990s, NCDs have been the top cause of mortality in our country. The situation worsened as the recent pandemic subjected those with NCDs to develop severe symptoms from the COVID-19 virus. It is unfortunate that rates of NCDs are continuously rising, and at a much faster rate among the poor. Poor communities barely stand a chance against this health crisis with limited resources to support medical needs. Unless we teach them ways to boost their immunity through a healthy lifestyle, the poor will always carry a heavy disease burden upon them.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
This is why the Yamang Kalusugan (YK) Health Program was born.
With Gawad Kalinga’s partnership, our mini-initiative in Batangas evolved into this full-fledged community-based program that educates and empowers Filipinos to take charge of their health by embracing a healthy lifestyle through mindset and behavior modifications. The program’s ultimate goal is to improve the overall health status of communities – that is, reduce disease rates, manage the adverse effects of having a disease, and improve the quality of life.
It was initially a challenge figuring out how to roll out the lessons despite the physical restrictions caused by the pandemic. We resulted in holding the classes online. This turned out to be a blessing as we could reach more people in a shorter amount of time than conducting face-to-face sessions. To date, more than 200 individuals from all over the country have gone through the initial health education sessions. We are yet to enter our next stage of thoroughly training and equipping Health Leaders who will carry out the program to their respective communities. The YK program is yet in its infancy and there is still much room for improvement. Nevertheless, we are hopeful as we’ve seen glimpses of the positive impact it can potentially create.
YAMANG KALUSUGAN (WEALTH IN HEALTH)
Literally, health is wealth, as being unwell takes a tremendous toll on all our resources. It affects not just the physical and financial aspects but also emotional, relational, and spiritual. But there’s something deeper to this that I’d like to share.
Coming from the Old English’ hælth’, the word health is related to being ‘whole’ or ‘a thing that is complete in itself. Reflecting on this, I realized that what truly makes health our wealth is that it is a piece of God Himself – a perfect whole being full of life. Sharing health then becomes a ministry to share God with others. And so, it is my prayer that through this YK Health program, people will get to experience the true life that comes only from Jesus, our Lord.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
john 10:10
