DOH special adviser backs Herbosa’s programs, initiatives to promote healthy lifestyle for Pinoys 

“EVERYONE deserves a healthy life.”

Thus said Dr. Anthony “Tony” Cueto Leachon, who was recently appointed as Department of Health (DOH) Special Adviser for Non-Communicable Diseases.

Leachon revealed that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr. is very serious in pushing for reforms and initiatives that will focus on the promotion of a healthy lifestyle for each and every Filipino.

Leachon revealed he himself agreed with the stand of Sec. Herbosa to seriously take into consideration the many changes that every Filipino must learn.

“A healthy lifestyle can extend the life of every Filipino by two decades. Hindi lang yung lifespan na hangang 71 years old. Education is the key.

We have to give them the right information. Dapat alam nila kung ano ang ilalagay nila sa loob ng kanilang katawan. We can even use the social media.

Raise the life span by educating our people. P’wedeng paabutin natin hangang 88 or 99 kagaya ng butihin dating Senate President na si Juan Ponce Enrile,” Leachon said.

He lamented that many Filipinos, both educated and influential, died early due to unhealthy lifestyles.

Leachon admitted that this dream of living a healthy lifestyle is a big challenge for everyone considering the many fast foods around the corner, the present technology, and the unhealthy activities that are affecting many Filipinos, physically, emotionally and mentally.

“We are not anti-business. We need them. But we also have to take care of our people. Pag nagtanim tayo ng gulay at isama ito sa regular na pagkain ng bawat isa, mababawasan ang problema sa rice shortage.

We can help our farmers too. We can address the problem of climate change because planting is one big solution,” Leachon said as he narrates his own health ordeal.

Leachon, a cardiologist and internal medicine doctor, explained the need to identify less healthy habits and learning new and positive habits to replace them such as eating healthy foods and balanced meals, sleeping well, managing stress, being physically active, being aware of the label including calorie intake etc., and taking responsibility for your overall health including regular check-ups.

Changing one thing at a time from eating unhealthy food to eating vegetables, fish, fruits and more balanced meals, exercising regularly or quitting smoking is not easy, he said but it is doable.

“We need to make small changes everyday until it becomes a habit by doing it gradually. Ang laki ng gastos ng maraming Pilipino sa dialysis.

Ayon sa PhilHealth, umaabot ito ng P17B kada taun. Malakas ang kunsumo natin sa rice at isa ito sa tinitingnan na dahilan kung bakit maraming may diabetes sa atin,” he said.

Leachon revealed that Sec. Herbosa is thinking of holding a summit to invite brilliant minds and to ask them about their thoughts and contribution as he is bent to push for this program of the government that will focus on improving our health system.

Leachon narrates his own childhood experience during the time of former President Marcos Sr.

“Lumaki ako sa Green Revolution ni Dating Pangulo Marcos Sr., kasama sa aming kabataan ang pagtatanim ng mga estudyante sa eskwelahan, pagtatanim sa mga barangay kung saan mayroon pang mga contest, gayundin ang pagtuturo ng wastong pagkain sa bawat pamilya at kainin sa kanilang mesa at marami pang kaugalian tulad ng pagbibisikleta, paglalakad at regular na ehersisyo.

Sigurado po ako na ang Kongreso sa tulong ni Speaker Romualdez at Senate President Zubiri ay pagtitibayan ang lane para sa mga mahilig lumakad at magbisikleta.

Ang mamamayan na may malusog na katawan at kaisipan ay kayamanan ng bansa at ito ang pagtutuunan ng pansin ng DOH sa ilalim ni Sec. Herbosa.” Leachon said.

Leachon also maintained the need to stay healthy at all times. “Kaya dapat may mga physical na activities na dapat natin i offer sa mga kabataan.

Being healthy is not just being fit or feeling better. We need to maintain it. We need to stay healthy and motivated at all times,” he stressed.