ILOILO – Aiming to curb the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in Western Visayas, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) are expanding the Healthy Hearts Programme in this province to include an additional 12 towns.
The ceremonial launch of Phase III Wave 2 of the program was held on May 22, targeting Balasan, Dingle, Maasin, Barotac Viejo, Dumangas, San Dionisio, Bingawan, Leganes, San Miguel, Cabatuan, Leon, and Santa Barbara.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), announced that with the new expansion, the program will now reach a total of 39 local government units (LGUs) this year, with plans to cover all 43 LGUs in the province by next year.
The four remaining towns, Sara, San Rafael, Estancia, and Calinog, are expected to join the program in 2024.
The Healthy Heart Project, a WHO initiative, focuses on reducing deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.
It offers a comprehensive package of interventions, including promoting healthy lifestyles, implementing evidence-based treatment protocols, ensuring access to essential medicines, and setting up monitoring systems.
According to Quiñon, the program aligns with the development goals of the province under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s leadership, encapsulated in the mantra “MoRProGRes Iloilo” – Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient Province of Iloilo.
She emphasized the ongoing commitment of all stakeholders, including LGUs, national government agencies, and international health partners, to advance the fight against cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Raul Banias, provincial administrator, cited WHO and DOH for their persistent support in the provincial government’s campaign for healthier hearts. He also acknowledged the hard work of health workers and local officials who have played pivotal roles in the program’s success.
“This expansion is a testament to our collective commitment to improving public health service delivery for hypertension prevention and control,” said Quiñon, acknowledging that the journey is still long and requires ongoing efforts to educate, prevent, and manage NCDs.
Banias reiterated the provincial government’s focus on sustainability and scale, pledging continued collaboration with the DOH and WHO, promoting local ownership, exploring innovative solutions, and enhancing community engagement to further elevate the impact of the Healthy Hearts Programme./PN
