The document proposes amendments to the Diabetes Philippines association, including: 1) Creating a new membership category called the Philippine College of Diabetology (PCD). 2) Members would be classified as Honorary Fellows, Diplomates, or Fellows. 3) It also proposes establishing a certifying body called the Philippine Specialty Board of Diabetology to administer certifying exams and confer Diplomate status. However, the proposals raise questions about consistency with the original purpose of unifying all diabetes interests and concerns, and whether the PCD would achieve parity with other medical specialties.

1. An Analysis of the ProposedAn Analysis of the Proposed
Amendments to DiabetesAmendments to Diabetes
PhilippinesPhilippines

2. 1.1. Creation within the association (the DiabetesCreation within the association (the Diabetes
Philippines) of a new membership category –Philippines) of a new membership category –
“the Medical Professional Section to be known“the Medical Professional Section to be known
as the Philippine College of Diabetology (PCD).”as the Philippine College of Diabetology (PCD).”
2.2. Members in this “College” shall be classified asMembers in this “College” shall be classified as
Honorary Fellows, Diplomates, and Fellows.Honorary Fellows, Diplomates, and Fellows.
3.3. Honorary Fellows are to be conferred byHonorary Fellows are to be conferred by
“unanimous vote of the members of the Board.”“unanimous vote of the members of the Board.”
Summary of the ProposedSummary of the Proposed
Amendments to Diabetes PhilippinesAmendments to Diabetes Philippines

3. 4.4. Creation of a certifying body to be known as theCreation of a certifying body to be known as the
“Philippine Specialty Board of Diabetology”“Philippine Specialty Board of Diabetology”
(PSBD)(PSBD)
5.5. Diplomate status can be attained by passing theDiplomate status can be attained by passing the
Diabetology certifying examinations to beDiabetology certifying examinations to be
administered by the PSBD.administered by the PSBD.
6.6. Diplomates can qualify for Fellow status after aDiplomates can qualify for Fellow status after a
prescribed period “to be determined by theprescribed period “to be determined by the
Board of Directors.”Board of Directors.”
Summary of the ProposedSummary of the Proposed
Amendments to Diabetes PhilippinesAmendments to Diabetes Philippines

4. 7.7. All fellows of the Philippine Society ofAll fellows of the Philippine Society of
Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM) and theEndocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM) and the
Philippine Society of Diabetologists (PSD), “inPhilippine Society of Diabetologists (PSD), “in
good standing” at the time of the approval ofgood standing” at the time of the approval of
the amendments are offered the fast-track tothe amendments are offered the fast-track to
becoming fellows (FPCD) by:becoming fellows (FPCD) by:
a.a. Writing a letter of intent to become a fellowWriting a letter of intent to become a fellow
b.b. Payment of a fee to be determined by the BoardPayment of a fee to be determined by the Board
c.c. Unanimous approval of the BoardUnanimous approval of the Board
Summary of the ProposedSummary of the Proposed
Amendments to Diabetes PhilippinesAmendments to Diabetes Philippines

5. 8.8. Subsequent fellows need to be diplomates ofSubsequent fellows need to be diplomates of
both the PCP and the proposed PCD.both the PCP and the proposed PCD.
9.9. Membership in this Medical Professional SectionMembership in this Medical Professional Section
or the PCD can be attained by written intentor the PCD can be attained by written intent
endorsed by two fellows of the PCD andendorsed by two fellows of the PCD and
approval by the Board of Directors.approval by the Board of Directors.
10.10.Membership in the PCD is not permanent butMembership in the PCD is not permanent but
“may be retained only by showing evidence of“may be retained only by showing evidence of
continuing education…” to be determined bycontinuing education…” to be determined by
the Membership Committee.the Membership Committee.
Summary of the ProposedSummary of the Proposed
Amendments to Diabetes PhilippinesAmendments to Diabetes Philippines

6. Two Questions Need to beTwo Questions Need to be
Resolved in this AnalysisResolved in this Analysis

7. 1. Is the creation of the Philippine1. Is the creation of the Philippine
College of Diabetology with itsCollege of Diabetology with its
Philippine Specialty Board ofPhilippine Specialty Board of
Diabetology WITHIN the AssociationDiabetology WITHIN the Association
(the Diabetes Philippines) consistent(the Diabetes Philippines) consistent
with the original purpose of thewith the original purpose of the
Philippine Diabetes Association?Philippine Diabetes Association?

8. 2. Does the attainment of the status of2. Does the attainment of the status of
Fellow in this proposed PhilippineFellow in this proposed Philippine
College of Diabetology or FPCD make itCollege of Diabetology or FPCD make it
at par with becoming Fellows of theat par with becoming Fellows of the
regular PCP Component Societies andregular PCP Component Societies and
the other Affiliate Societies?the other Affiliate Societies?

9. Question No. 1Question No. 1
The Original Purpose of the PDAThe Original Purpose of the PDA

11. ““It was the aim of this group toIt was the aim of this group to UNIFYUNIFY ALL INTERESTSALL INTERESTS
and ENTITIESand ENTITIES in the Philippines concerned aboutin the Philippines concerned about
diabetes mellitus into a single association. Thus, today,diabetes mellitus into a single association. Thus, today,
PDA stands as the umbrella organization ofPDA stands as the umbrella organization of ALLALL
ASSOCIATIONS INVOLVEDASSOCIATIONS INVOLVED in the care of the diabeticin the care of the diabetic
patient.”patient.”

12. These purposes are still embeddedThese purposes are still embedded
in the Associationin the Association’’s By-Laws.s By-Laws.

14. Three qualities immediately stand outThree qualities immediately stand out
from PDA’s original purposes:from PDA’s original purposes:
1.1.It sought to UNIFY.It sought to UNIFY.
2.2.It sought to COLLABORATE.It sought to COLLABORATE.
3.3.It sought to INVOLVE ALL concernedIt sought to INVOLVE ALL concerned
associations.associations.

15. Questions Questions QuestionsQuestions Questions Questions

16. Why are we creating another “MedicalWhy are we creating another “Medical
Professional Section to be known asProfessional Section to be known as
the Philippine College of Diabetology”the Philippine College of Diabetology”
within the association when wewithin the association when we
already have the medical healthcarealready have the medical healthcare
professional category?professional category?

18. Why are we creating a new certifying BoardWhy are we creating a new certifying Board
– the Philippine Specialty Board of– the Philippine Specialty Board of
Diabetology – within the association whenDiabetology – within the association when
it is supposed to be “an umbrellait is supposed to be “an umbrella
organization of all associations involved inorganization of all associations involved in
the care of the diabetic patients”?the care of the diabetic patients”?

19. And who will compose theAnd who will compose the
Philippine Specialty Board ofPhilippine Specialty Board of
Diabetology?Diabetology?

20. Even the American DiabetesEven the American Diabetes
Association does not Board-certify itsAssociation does not Board-certify its
healthcare professionals to make themhealthcare professionals to make them
“Fellows” of an “American College of“Fellows” of an “American College of
Diabetology.”Diabetology.”
Rather it equips them to betterRather it equips them to better
manage their diabetic patients.manage their diabetic patients.

22. Where does the creation of anWhere does the creation of an
additional layer of medical healthcareadditional layer of medical healthcare
professionals, namely the Professionalprofessionals, namely the Professional
Medical Section leave our “otherMedical Section leave our “other
healthcare professionals” – our nurses,healthcare professionals” – our nurses,
our nutritionist-dietitians, our physicalour nutritionist-dietitians, our physical
therapists, our diabetes educators –therapists, our diabetes educators –
who are also equal stakeholders in thewho are also equal stakeholders in the
care of diabetic patients?care of diabetic patients?

23. Will the creation of a separate MedicalWill the creation of a separate Medical
Professional Section or the PhilippineProfessional Section or the Philippine
College of Diabetology within theCollege of Diabetology within the
Association serve to “unify all interestsAssociation serve to “unify all interests
and entities in the Philippinesand entities in the Philippines
concerned about diabetes mellitusconcerned about diabetes mellitus
into a single association”?into a single association”?
…Or will it disunite them?…Or will it disunite them?

24. Will it encourage the participationWill it encourage the participation
of other societies or associationsof other societies or associations
concerned with the managementconcerned with the management
of diabetes and its complications?of diabetes and its complications?

25. Questions Questions QuestionsQuestions Questions Questions

26. Question No. 2Question No. 2
The Difference Between anThe Difference Between an
Academic Program and a ClinicalAcademic Program and a Clinical
Fellowship ProgramFellowship Program

27. In an academic program, one canIn an academic program, one can
proceed from an undergraduateproceed from an undergraduate
program to a specific area of studyprogram to a specific area of study
presented as a thesis in a postgraduatepresented as a thesis in a postgraduate
program, either as Master of Scienceprogram, either as Master of Science
(MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).(MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

28. In a clinical fellowship program,In a clinical fellowship program,
BECAUSE OF THE INTERRELATIONSHIPSBECAUSE OF THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS
OF DISEASES WITH ONE ANOTHER, oneOF DISEASES WITH ONE ANOTHER, one
attains clinical specialization by goingattains clinical specialization by going
from the bigger to the smaller withoutfrom the bigger to the smaller without
sacrificing the knowledge of the bigger.sacrificing the knowledge of the bigger.

29. Therefore in our subspecialty, we goTherefore in our subspecialty, we go
from Doctor of Medicine (generalfrom Doctor of Medicine (general
medicine)medicine)  to Internal Medicineto Internal Medicine
(specialty)(specialty)  to Endocrinology (or anyto Endocrinology (or any
other subspecialty)other subspecialty)  to the study ofto the study of
specific diseases within the subspecialtyspecific diseases within the subspecialty
(e.g. Diabetes, Thyroid, Adrenals,(e.g. Diabetes, Thyroid, Adrenals,
Pituitary, etc.)Pituitary, etc.)

30. One cannot claim to be a subspecialist atOne cannot claim to be a subspecialist at
par with the other subspecialtiespar with the other subspecialties
if one jumps from the major specialtyif one jumps from the major specialty
(Internal Medicine) and skips the major(Internal Medicine) and skips the major
subspecialty (e.g. Endocrinology);subspecialty (e.g. Endocrinology); oror
worseworse jumps from general medicine andjumps from general medicine and
skips both the major specialty and theskips both the major specialty and the
major subspecialty.major subspecialty.

31. Does the establishing of the “College ofDoes the establishing of the “College of
Diabetology” make those who wouldDiabetology” make those who would
study only Diabetes and becomestudy only Diabetes and become
“Fellow, Philippine College of“Fellow, Philippine College of
Diabetology” at par with those of theDiabetology” at par with those of the
major subspecialties like Cardiology,major subspecialties like Cardiology,
Pulmonology, Gastroenterology,Pulmonology, Gastroenterology,
Endocrinology and others?Endocrinology and others?

32. Because of its prevalence, theBecause of its prevalence, the
Tuberculosis Society of the PhilippinesTuberculosis Society of the Philippines
was also established in our country. Didwas also established in our country. Did
we ever have a Philippine College ofwe ever have a Philippine College of
Tuberculology to elevate it to theTuberculology to elevate it to the
subspecialty level of Pulmonology?subspecialty level of Pulmonology?

33. Or a College of Thyroidology?Or a College of Thyroidology?
Or a College of Hepatology?Or a College of Hepatology?
Let us dread the day!Let us dread the day!

34. Fellows of the Philippine Society ofFellows of the Philippine Society of
Endocrinology and Metabolism are beingEndocrinology and Metabolism are being
offered a fast-track to becoming Fellowsoffered a fast-track to becoming Fellows
of the proposed Philippine College ofof the proposed Philippine College of
Diabetology.Diabetology.

35. But we do not want to be fellows of theBut we do not want to be fellows of the
Philippine College of Diabetology.Philippine College of Diabetology.
Why?Why?

36. Because we are already Fellows ofBecause we are already Fellows of
the Philippine Society ofthe Philippine Society of
Endocrinology and Metabolism.Endocrinology and Metabolism.

37. ConclusionsConclusions

38. There is nothing wrong withThere is nothing wrong with
uplifting the standards of care foruplifting the standards of care for
our diabetic patients and upliftingour diabetic patients and uplifting
the standards of those who want tothe standards of those who want to
understand and care for Diabetes –understand and care for Diabetes –
that is the goal of every one of us.that is the goal of every one of us.

39. But let not this altruism be usedBut let not this altruism be used
as a pretext for uplifting anyas a pretext for uplifting any
society or any group to a levelsociety or any group to a level
that it is not.that it is not.

40. Neither use as a vehicle for this ourNeither use as a vehicle for this our
Association – the PhilippineAssociation – the Philippine
Diabetes Association or theDiabetes Association or the
Diabetes Philippines – which wasDiabetes Philippines – which was
founded on the purest of motives,founded on the purest of motives,
which is “the care, protection andwhich is “the care, protection and
recuperation of the diabeticrecuperation of the diabetic
patient.”patient.”

41. We need to put back the diabetic patient atWe need to put back the diabetic patient at
the core of our values in this Association.the core of our values in this Association.
We need to debride and amputate allWe need to debride and amputate all
gangrenous motives hidden beneath thegangrenous motives hidden beneath the
surface of the phrase “for the benefit of thesurface of the phrase “for the benefit of the
patients in the community which we serve.”patients in the community which we serve.”

42. We need to go back to workingWe need to go back to working
together, having mutual respect fortogether, having mutual respect for
one another but withoutone another but without
appropriating for ourselves what isappropriating for ourselves what is
not rightfully ours.not rightfully ours.

43. Then and only then can we trulyThen and only then can we truly
say we are United for Diabetes.say we are United for Diabetes.

44. Again, a final food for thought…Again, a final food for thought…

45. ““Beware ye of the leaven of theBeware ye of the leaven of the
Pharisees…Pharisees…
For there is nothing covered, that shallFor there is nothing covered, that shall
not be revealed; neither hid, that shallnot be revealed; neither hid, that shall
not be knownnot be known”” (Luke 12:1-2).(Luke 12:1-2).