About
The Philippine College of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Inc. (PCEDM) is a subspecialty society of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), a specialty component society of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), a founding member of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societes (AFES), a member of the International Society of Endocrinology ( ISE) and an associate member of the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE).
PCEDM currently has 525 members in their community that are involved in the treatment and management of diabetes, thyroid, obesity and other hormone diseases. It is the only society recognised by the Philippine Medical Association through the Philippine College of Physicians that accredits a training programme for endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. PCEDM is dedicated to hormone research and clinical excellence in the practice of endocrinology and focused on training healthcare professionals and people with diabetes on the diagnosis and management of diabetes.
Main Focus
- Education and support: focus on providing education and support for different stakeholders, (endocrinologists, internists, primary care physicians and other allied health professionals, individual with diabetes, their families and caregivers and other institutions), through education programmes, lectures and advocacy groups.
- Raising awareness: increasing public understanding of the impact of diabetes by raising awareness on risk factors, symptoms, complications and early detection and treatment of diabetes.
- Promoting research: supporting funding for diabetes research.
- Access to treatment: providing free insulin to disadvantaged people with diabetes.
- Policy initiatives: working with Philippine Department of Health and other government agencies to address diabetes through education and development of a clinical pathway and Guidelines.
Activities
- Leads Philippine Diabetes Awareness Week Celebration every last week of July by conducting simultaneous activities for healthcare professionals and the general public across the country.
- Joins and leads activities related to World Diabetes Day every 14 November.
- Leads guideline development for diabetes under “UNITE for Diabetes” and other guidelines on non-communicable diseases that concern diabetes.
- “Scientific Exchanges in Endocrinology and Diabetes (SEED)” programme, which provides workshops and continuing professional development units about the basics of diabetes diagnosis and management, targeting internal medicine physicians, family physicians and primary health care providers.
- Quarterly “Diabetes and General Endocrinology Weekend Courses” – in the three major regions of the Philippines (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) to teach and update allied healthcare professionals.
- “Hawak-kamay Laban sa Diabetes” (Hands held against diabetes), which aims to create “Diabetes Warriors” by teaching community health workers how to screen and diagnose diabetes, also emphasizing lifestyle modification and making them familiar with oral and hyperglycaemic agents available in their communities.
- Lay fora, including lectures and screening activities directed to people with and without diabetes in different areas across the country.
- Partnership with the Philippine Department of Health, to train and certify municipal health officers and nurses on the use of insulin (human insulin and analogs) and other activities.
- Create and lead the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diabetes in primary care settings.
Message from the President
Diabetes prevalence has been increasing in the Philippines in the past 2 decades. This increase in number of people with diabetes has also added to the burden of healthcare expenditure in the country. As an archipelago, the delivery of sufficient and effective service to people with diabetes has been a challenge. With this in mind, the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PCEDM) has been at the forefront of diabetes care. From training endocrinologists to serve in the different regions/provinces in the Philippines, to working with government agencies to enhance diabetes care provision, the PCEDM has evolved since its conception, now also with programmes of providing insulin to our indigent patients, recycling of insulin pens, and the creation of a disaster committee to ensure continuity of care. Our emphasis is on training, research, advocacy, and these exemplify our core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, love of country, respect, commitment, and compassion. The PCEDM is one with IDF in advocating holistic care of our patients, ensuring the well-being of people with diabetes: taking care of the person, his/her family, and the community.”