THE PHILIPPINE Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM) held its 19th annual convention on Mar 18 at the Acacia Hotel to strengthen sleep health advocacies in Davao Region and address the condition in the country.
PSSM partnered with the Department of Health XI and other health advocates for “Project Himbing,” an awareness campaign to support better sleep health through regional caravans launched in five different locations in the country.
The campaign focuses on DOH regional engagement, disease prevention that highlights poor sleep is linked to mental health strain and physical ailments, public awareness with efforts to address the lack of data on sleep disorders, and regionalizing sleep centers to improve health services.
“In today’s fast-paced and digitally connected world, many individuals sacrifice sleep because of work, academic responsibilities, and prolonged screen time. However, adequate rest is not merely a comfort; it is a vital pillar of physical health, mental well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life,” Dr. Naira Ampuan of DOH Davao Center for Health and Development said during a press conference.
According to PSSM president Dr. Jimmy Chang, the Philippines has very few sleep center beds, with only around 50 beds nationwide.
The Philippine population is about 112.7M, with the ratio being one sleep center bed per 2.5M, resulting in sleep health inequality due to the scarce capacity and high unmet needs.
The country also faces a sleep epidemic, ranking as the 4th most sleep-deprived country in Southeast Asia, with nearly 60% of Filipinos suffering from lack of sleep.
Chang also said sleep apnea is the second most common sleep disorder and is more prevalent among Asians. The condition occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to airway obstruction.
