To ignite local actions against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and operationalize the integration of non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and treatment services in the Universal Health Care (UHC), the Department of Health (DOH) continues its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to further the reach of the Healthy Hearts Programme (HHP).
The province of Antique, this year’s host of World Heart Day (WHD) — a heart awareness platform led by the World Heart Federation, vows to bring to its 18 municipalities the lessons learned from the successful implementation of HHP in Iloilo. The ongoing technical assistance of WHO in collaboration with the DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development aims to create government programmes and policies that address the risk factors of NCDs at the primary healthcare level.
NCDs remain the leading cause of mortality in the country. Cardiovascular diseases or diseases of the heart account for 1 in every 3 NCD deaths in the Philippines, where hypertension, considered a “silent killer,” is a major risk factor. WHO’s recent report on high blood pressure reveals that approximately 4 out of every 5 people with hypertension are not adequately treated globally.
Antiqueños join the illumination of the 10 Bornean Datus, together with other iconic monuments around the world that light up to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases.
Following the recommendations from the said WHO Report, the Healthy Hearts technical package that Antique will implement from 2023 to 2024 seeks to improve health promotion such as advocating for regular checking of blood pressure and salt reduction, screening, diagnosis, and treatment protocols, access to antihypertensive medications, monitoring of patients, and referral mechanisms. DOH aims to replicate these strategies eventually at the country level.
In a message delivered by NCD Technical Officer Rauell John Santos, WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus expressed his optimism that Antique province will become a model province in beating cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. “The Healthy Hearts Programme underscores the importance of bringing essential primary care services closer to Filipino families through people-centered strategies, innovative approaches, and stronger partnerships,” he said.
With the theme “Kasing-kasing ko, kilalahon ko” (I will know my heart), the World Heart Day celebration in Antique served as a platform for the community to participate in a province-wide call to prioritize heart health. Priding itself as the landing site of the 10 Bornean Datus or chieftains, and the home of a vibrant weaving industry, the province pledges to intertwine leadership and community action to achieve significant results.
Representatives from DOH CHD Western Visayas, government officials from Antique, and WHO collaborate to ignite Antique’s fight against cardiovascular diseases.
“Everyone shall work very hard to reach every Antiqueño, to shed light on the importance of caring for one’s heart. After all, we only got one. Our hearts shall altogether beat healthily so we can bring this province to greater heights for the next generations of Antiqueños to enjoy,” Dr Ric Noel Naciongayo, Provincial Health Officer II of Antique said.
Present during the WHD commemoration were Antique Vice-Governor Edgar Denosta, DOH Western Visayas Regional Director Dr Adriano Suba-an, Local Health Support Division Regional Chief Dr May Ann Sta. Lucia, and Antique Provincial Health Officer II Dr Ric Noel Naciongayo. Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda, Lone District of Antique Representative Antonio B. Legarda, Jr., and WHO Medical Officer Dr Taskeen Khan gave their felicitations through their respective video messages.
The World Heart Day commemoration in Antique started with a dance exercise in the morning. Regular physical activity is known to help fight heart diseases.
On September 5, another Healthy Hearts Programme expansion commenced in the province of Aklan, wherein the Office of the Vice President committed to providing essential medicines to ensure an uninterrupted supply of antihypertensive medications.
The launch at the Aklan Provincial Capitol was attended by the Office of the Vice President Satellite Office Manager Dr Chris Sorongon (online), Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores, Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, DOH Center for Health Development Western Visayas Assistant Regional Dr Ma. Sophia Pulmones, Aklan Provincial Health Officer Dr Leslie Ann Sedillo and NCD Section Unit Head Dr Aimee Marie Gayomali, members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Provincial Health Office staff, and WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus.
“Together with our provincial and municipal teams, we are excited for this project and we will commit to implement and guarantee its sustainability, towards our health goal of healthy and empowered Aklanons towards Universal Health Care,” said Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores.
The intensified NCD interventions in Western Visayas through the Healthy Hearts Programme will also help strengthen the Local Health Systems Maturity Level, a DOH framework to monitor the progress of the UHC integration into province/city-wide health systems.
“Addressing cardiovascular diseases is a whole-of-society approach, but it should be centred towards the patients’ needs and environment. The DOH Western Visayas has high hopes that we can address the epidemic of NCDs in the Philippines and be the healthiest people in Asia by 2040,” said Dr Adriano Suba-an, DOH Western Visayas Regional Director.