Officers of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) have bared the group's dream: "One cardiologist for every city in the country.
The group's vision was disclosed during the induction ceremonies for the new PHA Central Luzon officers and members, officiated by PHA national president, Dr. Walid A. Amil, at Marriott Hotel in Clark Freeport on June 14, 2025.
Amil, the first Mindanaoan and Muslim head of the 73-year-old PHA, urged their members to strengthen local engagement and complete the national research conducted by eight tertiary hospitals around the country with global impact like the Philippine Cardiovascular Disease Registry launched in 2024.
Amil also urged PHA members to conduct Cardiology Fellowship Training for a world-class cardiology care.
He also stressed the realization of the PHA dream: “One Cardiologist for Every City.”
Newly-installed PHA Central Luzon chapter president, Dr. Jerome Reymatias, said they are connecting the region's seven provinces – Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales and Aurora.
He said this is under the theme
"Pusong Central Luzon: Binding Provinces, Building Heart Health”.
The PHA said it endeavors to combat the cardiovascular disease (CVD) pandemic.
This, after the World Health Organization’s challenge to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable disease (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases by 25 percent by 2025 and one-third by 2030.
The new PHA officers are Reymatias, president; Michelle Nieves, vice-president; John Levi Daluz, secretary; Paula Erika Reyes-Del-Rosario, treasurer; and representatives: Aurora and Nueva Ecija -- Dr. Paula Erika Reyes-Del-Rosario; Bataan and Zambales -- Dr. Mary Rose Anne Lacanin; Bulacan-- Dr. Sandy Elfa; Pampanga -- Dr. Alica Marie Hizon; Tarlac --Dr. Mary Julienne Therese Oliveros; Nueva Ecija: Dr. Angelica Dela Cruz; and CPR Liaison Officer Dr. Jeffrey Patawaran.
The PHA CL committed to pursue medical education for cardiologists and primary care doctors; research; lay education on healthy lifestyle mantra "PHA Puso Muna"
and Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation through social media; lifestyle modification events like Fun Run; and recreational activities for PHA CL members.
“One of my key goals is to bring the PHA closer to the grassroots,” Amil said. “It’s about multiplying our reach. Every Filipino heart should feel the presence of the PHA close to home.”
In February 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority and Department of Health reported that ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease (CAD) remained the top killer in the Philippines in 2024 with 53,941 deaths accounted for CAD in 2023 and 39,193.
The PHA said it has been encouraging new cardiologists to set up their practice in their native homes.
As of January 2025, PHA CL has 117 members from which 54 (46.15%) members practice in Pampanga; 20 (17.09%) in Bulacan;19 (16.24%) in Nueva Ecija; 11 (9.41%) in Tarlac; seven (5.98%) in Zambales; five (4.27%) in Bataan; and one (0.86%) in Aurora.
Pampanga has the largest concentration of cardiologists stationed in Angeles, Bacolor, San Fernando, Clark, and Guagua.
In Bulacan, 20 cardiologists serve Malolos, Marilao, Meycauayan, Baliuag, and Bocaue.
Nueva Ecija has 19 cardiologists in San Jose and Cabanatuan City.
Meanwhile, Bataan’s five heart specialists, all based in Balanga.
In Zambales, seven cardiologists serve Olongapo.
Aurora, on the other hand, has one cardiologist. |RGN