SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Respiratory and heart diseases are among the top 10 leading causes of death in all age groups in Antique, according to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
In 2022, there were 582 mortalities due to pneumonia while there were 325 cases due to myocardial infarction (MI),” Irene Dulduco, IPHO information officer, said.
Rounding out the list are diseases considered to be non-communicable but develop due to the risk factors related to lung and heart diseases:
* cerebrovascular accident – 294 cases
* hypertensive heart disease – 278 cases
* cancer – 245 cases
* diabetes mellitus – 144 cases
* chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – 136 cases
* hypertension – 135 cases
* kidney/renal disease – 86 cases
* sepsis – 82 cases
Dulduco noted these diseases could be due to a sedentary lifestyle, food intake and stress, aside from genetics.
“We are advocating for people to do physical fitness, eat vegetables and other high-fiber food to remain healthy,” she said.
Department of Health (DOH) – Antique head Dr. Rommel Garganera said pneumonia is an infection either caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that makes the lungs swell, while MI is a heart attack that happens when a portion of the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen.
“The DOH is advocating prevention from the diseases before treatment,” Garganera said.
Two Super Health Centers are being constructed in Sibalom and San Jose de Buenavista towns to provide immediate treatment before patients are referred to hospitals.
On Monday, Sept. 4, the Provincial Board passed a resolution supporting Republic Act 11959 or the Regional Specialty Center Act and considered Antique as one of the venues to make health care services accessible for the people.
“Patients from Antique, whenever referred to the hospitals in Manila, feel burdened not only by their medical needs but also of their transportation, food and where to stay during their duration of treatment that there is a need for a specialty center to be put up right in the province,” said Board Member Victor Condez. (PNA)/PN
