ILOILO – To prevent deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), 16 towns in the province will benefit from the expanded Healthy Heart Project through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH).
These towns are Ajuy, Anilao, Alimodian, Badiangan, Banate, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Dueñas, Janiuay, Lambunao, Lemery, Mina, New Lucena, San Enrique, and Zarraga.
The Healthy Heart Project aims to reduce mortality caused by NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
The project includes a package of interventions and technical assistance to local government units (LGUs) to include the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the implementation of evidence-based treatment protocols, access to essential medicines for NCDs, and the implementation of monitoring systems.
The WHO and DOH, together with the Iloilo provincial government, launched Phase III Implementation of the Healthy Heart Project at the Old Provincial Capitol of Iloilo (Casa Real) yesterday.
Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus, Country Representative of WHO Philippines, DOH-6 regional director Dr. Adriano Suba-an, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., local chief executives of the 16 towns, and personnel from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) and DOH-6 led the launching. It was highlighted by the signing of a pledge of commitment to the program.
De Jesus said the program has been expanded to 16 additional towns to raise awareness that deaths due to NCDs are preventable.
DOH data showed that 70 percent of the recorded deaths in the country are caused by NCDs.
“The important thing for all to know is that almost all NCDs are preventable; that is the bottom line of why we launched this program,” explained de Jesus.
He also highlighted the importance of checkups and regular monitoring of blood pressure with the help of barangay health workers. This would aid in early management through maintenance medicine, which could be provided by rural health units and changes in lifestyle behavior.
The top 10 leading causes of mortality in the province in 2022, according to IPHO data, were pneumonia (1,120), myocardial infarction (691), cancer in all forms (474), accidents in all forms (300), diabetes mellitus (unspecified) (264), kidney diseases (257), coronary artery disease (253), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (221), sepsis/septicemia (220), and congestive heart failure (200).
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said aside from pneumonia, accidents of all forms, and sepsis, seven out of these 10 diseases are in connection with NCDs.
For his part, Defensor was thankful for the collaboration between the provincial government, WHO and DOH, adding that he wanted this to be a part of the mainstream programming of the provincial government.
“Why? Because this is one of the most serious problems in the area of health,” the governor said.
Defensor also said if this is not given attention, deaths due to NCDs could create a problem and strain the healthcare system.
“We want to heighten the treatment and the awareness because the most important measure is prevention,” he added.
Seven out of the 10 leading causes of death in the country were NCDs, with hypertensive cardiovascular disease ranking No. 1, based on data presented by Suba-an during a press conference in 2021.
A pilot implementation of the Healthy Heart Program was conducted in 2021 by the WHO and DOH in the 1st District towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Igbaras, and Tubungan.
During the pilot implementation, the program reached more than 24,600 adults. Subsequently, 80 percent of these patients with hypertension exhibited controlled blood pressure.
“This expansion is hoped to further improve the service delivery of NCD-related diseases in our health facilities, such as detection and control, the creation of local government programs, and the continuous assessment of risk factors in the community,” Suba-an said.
The WHO and DOH aim to complete all 43 towns in the province, including Passi City, as implementation sites of the program by 2024.
The 20 remaining towns targeted to be implementation sites by 2024 are Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, City of Passi, Dingle, Dumangas, Estancia, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, Pavia, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Miguel, San Rafael, Santa Barbara, and Sara./PN
