Expert Raises Health Alert on Anemia in Filipino Women

In line with their on going efforts to improve the state ofred blood cells perinatal healthcare in the Philippines, The Perinatal Association of the Philippines recently invited one of the world’s most respected authorities on Anemia, Dr. Nils Milman, to raise the alert on the real global threat that Anemia poses. Dr. Milman has been engaged in research on human iron metabolism for over 30 years, and has written over 100 papers on the different aspects of human iron metabolism. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of Anemia, and Dr. Milman’s expertise is of particular importance to pregnant women, as they are most prone to both iron deficiency and anemia.


Alarming Number of Anemic Filipino Women

Much of Dr. Milman’s talk will be on the rather disturbing statistics on anemia in the world, and particularly in the Philippines. The WHO reports that 42% of Filipino women of reproductive age suffer from Anemia, while 44% of pregnant women suffer from the affliction. While the global numbers on Anemia are disturbing, the Philippines lags behind, and the numbers here are even more alarming. Although the number of women who suffer from Anemia in Southeast Asia has been on the decline over the last 10 years, the decline has been neither fast nor steady, which is why there are now more efforts to raise awareness on the disease. Practically every other Filipino woman has Anemia, making the issue that much more urgent here.


Anemia: Synonymous to Weak or Frail

Anemia is a disease many are familiar with; the word anemic has become virtually synonymous to weak or frail.  Anemia’s most common visible symptoms are the reason it has become another word for weakness. Women who are anemic often experience diminished physical capacity, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations and irregular menstrual periods.

Pregnant women have proven far more prone to anemia, to make things worse, when a mother has Anemia, her baby is also usually born anemic.

Click here to learn more on the causes of iron deficiency, how it develops and its consequences for women.