By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
FROM the “heart for the heart” plus “lungs” = “heartful” endeavor.
This is the way I personally describe the P449-million Heart and Lung Care Center (HLCC) at the West Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) courtesy of Iloilo City Lone District’s Rep. Jam-jam Baronda with the support of Sen. JV Ejercito.
I view this project “beyond politics”.
I don’t know Jam-jam. I just saw her on Facebook, on TV, in the newspapers. She’s beautiful, young and vibrant.
At first glance, you will not think of her to be somebody of consequence, who has focus on serious matters, programs and projects. I thought she was just a “happy-go-lucky” lass “accidentally glamorized” by politics. Much more when she became an “instant celebrity” when she breached security protocol during the 2023 State of the Nation Address (she took a selfie with the entering President Bongbong Marcos at the hallway of Congress).
Hurray! Beyond a “super relaxed beauty”, Jam-Jam, upon and after reading many articles about the HLCC, I can’t help but admire this petite woman who really has “a heart” for public service.
HLCC – call it her noblest project – has the element of “S.H.E.” or significant human experience. Prior to the conception of HLCC, Rep. Jam-jam saw many “detestable occurrences or situations” involving the poor and sick, especially those with the heart and lung ailments. Such “S.H.E.” caused her para i-panamkon ang HLCC.
In God’s grace, Jam-jam’s “baby” – the HLCC – was figuratively born and baptized on April 26.
‘TOP KILLERS’
Let it be known that in 2023, Ischaemic heart disease is among the serious illnesses thriving in the country, said a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
PSA reported a total 107,767 heart-related cases, causing a total of 19% of the total deaths in the country.
While talking of lung cancer, it is said that the Philippines also recorded 13,406 lung cancer-related cases across the country last year.
Both the heart and lung cancers are considered the “deadliest” or “top killers” in the Philippine health setting. Why is this so? Because it’s really expensive to get quality heart or lung treatment in Metro Manila. A patient with either heart or lung ailment needs to travel to Manila if he or she wants the best treatment. So be prepared for your travel expenses, board and lodging, doctors’ fees, laboratories, among others. These will surely drain your pocket.
Questions: How about the poor? The poorest of the poor?
The saddest reality comes in. They will just die sans availing of “the best” healthcare service.
‘ABOT-KAMAY’
But not anymore? With HLCC, “the best” heart and lung care treatment is now “abot-kamot”.
Gist of the project: Accessibility to the best heart or lung treatment for everyone (rich or poor) from Panay and Negros islands.
Quite a heart-warming news. Pleasant to the ears. Best for the heart. A breather for the lungs.
MAGNET OF HAPPINESS
Jam-jam’s HLCC is a milestone in public service and governance that, I am sure, will catapult her to the pedestal where women public servants are “hailed most” for the good things they do for humanity.
Jam-jam, the way I perceive her, has a semblance to world’s young yet dedicated women politicians like Elsie Stefanik and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of the United States of America (USA), Eva Maydell of the European Parliament, and Lyn Ruane of Ireland. Like Jam-jam, they’re also beautiful and “with the heart” to serve the people.
Well, HLCC is already there. No one can alter it anymore. It is Jam-jam’s legacy beyond praise that will surely make many Ilonggos – and even Negrenses, especially those with heart and lung troubles – happy./PN
