Ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases lead the causes of death in the Philippines.

THE top three causes of death in the country according to the Philippine Statistics Authority ( PSA ) from January to December of 2023 were ischemic heart diseases, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular diseases.

These were also the leading causes of death in the same period in 2022. From January to December of 2023, ischemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death with 112,789 cases or 19.0 percent of the total deaths in the country.

On the other hand, neoplasms, came in second with 63,788 deaths (10.7% share). Cerebrovascular diseases were the third leading cause which accounted for 59,829 recorded cases (10.1% share) from January to December 2023.

Deaths due to diabetes mellitus recorded 37,633 cases or 6.3 percent share, making it the fourth leading cause of death, while deaths due to pneumonia, which ranked fifth, recorded 36,262 cases or 6.1 percent share.

Summary

PSA 2023 top 6 causes of deaths in the Philippines:

1. Ischemic heart diseases 112,789 (19%)

2. Neoplasms 63,788 (10.7%)

3. Cerebrovascular 59,829 (10.1%)

4. Diabetes 37,633 (6.3%)

5. Pneumonia 36,262 (6.1%)

6. Hypertension 32,756 (5.5%)

An official of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) expressed alarm as she observed a 40-percent increase in new dialysis patients in a span of a year.

Dr. Romina Danguilan, NKTI’s Deputy Executive Director for Medical Services, said the specialty center caters to a yearly estimate of 35,000 out-patients and 27,000 in-patients – 80 percent of which have kidney diseases.

“Now if you look at the number of patients who are going on dialysis, it’s even higher. So these are patients already who have kidney failure. “

Between 2022 and 2023, there was about a 40-percent increase in the number of new patients starting dialysis, which is very, very alarming,” she told ABS-CBN News.

Danguilan attributes the increasing number to more awareness of the disease and the current lifestyle of Filipinos.

Diabetes leading to dialysis surges up

The most common causes of kidney failure now are: number one, diabetes; number two, hypertension; and number three is inflammation of the kidneys or glomerulonephritis. So chances are families, if they’re all diabetic, then they will be in some stage of kidney disease. We need to monitor our families and workplace colleagues.

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease also. Eating too many sweets, junk foods , and drinking sodas are the causes. Filipinos, we like sweet food so that’s not really very good, by not being very careful with our diet. Sometimes also we like very salty food. Minsan nakaka-high blood din iyon (That can also cause high blood). Again, that’s a lifestyle. Also, we’ve become very sedentary. Hindi na tayo masyadong gumagalaw, sa office lang tayo (We don’t move that much, spending most of our time in the office). We don’t devote time to exercise,” Danguilan added.

“In fact, they can delay the need for dialysis by nine years. So it’s a very good assistance to the patient, gives our patients hope that with medicines, blood pressure control, control of their blood sugar, and a healthy lifestyle, napo-prolong ang buhay nila at nade-delay ang pag need nila na mag-dialysis (their life is prolonged, and the need for dialysis is delayed).”

Research indicates that a plant-based diet is the cornerstone of healthy longevity and potentially the most important prescriptive tool to help patients achieve a longer life and better quality of life as they age.

There is a general consensus that the elements of a whole-foods plant-based diet—legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, with limited or no intake of refined foods and animal products—are highly beneficial for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.

To prevent kidney disease, doctors advise the public to make it a habit to drink water, avoid salty food, and know if they have hypertension or diabetes, which are considered at high risk to get kidney problems.

Healthcare system to succeed : CHECKLIST

1. Massive preventive health education in schools , workplace and the community especially to curb lifestyle diseases

2. Competent, compassionate and ethical health Human Resources

3. Well managed PHILHEALTH with the goal of reducing out of pocket expenses

4. Regional health facilities all over the 14 regions of the country

5. Vaccination improved rates

6. Score card, checklist and timelines

7. Honest, agile, and efficient leadership and governance

In life and in our professional careers , people with integrity do what they say they are going to do. Others have excuses.

The foundation blocks for a balanced success are honesty, kindness, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty. The first law of leadership is that your foundation is built through integrity, character, and trust.

We need a new breed of health leaders The patient should be the main priority of our healthcare delivery system. We can only achieve our national target goals in health through agile , collaborative and innovative type of leadership.

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Anthony C. Leachon, M. D.

Independent Health Reform Advocate

Past President ,
Philippine College of Physicians

Department of Internal Medicine
Manila Doctors Hospital