Municipal health officer Fe Tagimacruz said the rural health unit of Valencia town, in Oriental Negros has grouped all hypertension and diabetic patients so they can receive continuous education and proper monitoring of their ailments.

Tagimacruz said the Valencia Non-Communicable Disease clients can avail of a discounted charge on laboratory examination, such a blood profile tests at the health center.

The group was organized during a healthy lifestyle seminar conducted recently, that hopes to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Tagimacruz urged other clients to become members so they, too, can receive continuous education and proper administration of their ailments.

Health care is a priority thrust of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under her "8 by 2008" program.

The eight blessings are identified as job creation, better cost of living; a strong peso, more investments, pro-poor education, pro-poor health care, housing, food; green Philippines, and anti-terrorism. The healthy lifestyle program is an initiative of the Department of Health and promoted by the Metropolitan Local Health Zone mayors from Valencia, Amlan, San Jose, Bacong, Dauin, Sibulan and the city of Dumaguete, in the province.*RG

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