ILOILO CITY, 21 June 2023 — The Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) expanded the reach of the Healthy Hearts Programme in the remaining four districts of Iloilo province and the whole province of Antique in Western Visayas.
From 2023 to 2024, DOH and WHO will include 36 more implementation sites in Iloilo province and 18 implementation sites in Antique. This expansion aims to further improve hypertension detection and control at the primary health care level, and support the creation of government programmes and policies that address the risk factors of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Noncommunicable diseases – particularly the four major diseases namely cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung diseases – account for 70% of all causes of Filipino mortalities, with CVDs responsible for one in every three NCD deaths. CVDs – or diseases of the heart and blood vessels – remain the leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2022.
DOH and local governments, with support from WHO and Resolve to Save Lives, conducted the pilot implementation of the Healthy Hearts Programme from 2021 to 2022 in seven hypertension service delivery sites in Iloilo province to intensify efforts on the prevention of CVDs and NCDs. The programme reached more than 246,000 adults, with 80% of hypertensive patients exhibiting controlled blood pressure.
DOH and local governments, with support from WHO and Resolve to Save Lives, conducted the pilot implementation of the Healthy Hearts Programme from 2021 to 2022 in seven hypertension service delivery sites in Iloilo province to intensify efforts on the prevention of CVDs and NCDs. The programme reached more than 246,000 adults, with 80% of hypertensive patients exhibiting controlled blood pressure.
In Tigbauan town in Iloilo province, WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus and a barangay health worker talk to a person living with NCD about her experience in accessing healthcare services through the Healthy Hearts Programme. © WHO Philippines
The Healthy Hearts Technical Package consists of job aids and e-Learning courses to support healthcare workers in providing patients with accurate and relevant CVD information on screening, diagnosis, and treatment protocols. It also includes a Hypertension e-Registry that collects patient data to monitor the effectiveness and coverage of the intervention.
The Healthy Hearts Programme will be implemented through technical assistance, which includes support for the accreditation of health facilities to provide the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama or Konsulta primary health care package of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). As a result, people living with NCDs may access regular consultations and an uninterrupted supply of antihypertensive medications.
“Our collaborative efforts at the local level are key to addressing the health needs of our communities. We are grateful to the local governments of Iloilo province and Antique for investing in sustainable interventions against noncommunicable diseases in Western Visayas,” said Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines.
Representatives from DOH CHD Western Visayas, PhilHealth, government officials from Antique, and WHO commit to intensify the prevention of noncommunicable diseases through the Healthy Hearts Programme. © WHO Philippines
On 20 June, the launch event at the Antique Provincial Capitol was attended by DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development Assistant Regional Director Dr Sophia Pulmones, PhilHealth Vice President and Head Executive Staff Dr Albert Domingo, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, Provincial Health Officer Dr Leoncio Abiera Jr, and municipal mayors and health officers of the pilot implementing sites. They were joined by WHO Western Pacific Region Disease Control Director Dr Huong Thi Giang Tran, and WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus.
“Recognizing the burden brought about by noncommunicable diseases to the health of Antiqueños, we are tirelessly looking for solutions to alleviate the suffering and ultimately improve health outcomes in the province as we aim for Healthy Antiqueños. The municipalities of Pandan, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, Patnongon, Sibalom, Hamtic and Tobias Fornier are without a doubt honoured and grateful to be the pilot implementing sites of Project Kasing-Kasing (Heart) in Antique,” said Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao.
Representatives from DOH CHD Western Visayas, government officials from Antique, and WHO pledge to invest in keeping the province healthy from NCDs through the Healthy Hearts Programme. © WHO Philippines
On 21 June, the commitment signing at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol was attended by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other local chief executives, DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development Regional Director Dr Adriano Suba-an, PhilHealth Vice President and Head Executive Staff Dr Albert Domingo, WHO Western Pacific Region Disease Control Director Dr Huong Thi Giang Tran, and WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus.
“We want NCDs to be part of the mainstream programs of the province. Why? Because it is actually one of the most serious problems in health. It does not get our attention every day. We are happy to collaborate with the Department of Health and the World Health Organization which we have been doing for a long time. I am looking forward to a better and stronger partnership,” said Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Healthy Hearts Programme provided an opportunity for local health authorities and healthcare workers in Iloilo to amplify their support to people living with NCDs who are largely at risk of COVID-19 complications and other chronic conditions. The expansion to Antique can build more momentum in reducing premature deaths in the region.
“Seeing the support and collaboration of local chief executives and health warriors show that we are on the right track in preventing the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases. The success and impact of the Healthy Hearts Programme will be based on building champions, one calibrated step at a time,” said Dr Adriano Suba-an, DOH Western Visayas Regional Director.