ILOILO CITY – The Healthy Hearts program of the Department of Health has expanded to 16 towns in Iloilo province.
OFFICIALS in Iloilo pledge to support the third phase of the Healthy Hearts program of the Department of Health (DOH). The program aims to reduce mortality rate of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardio-vascular diseases. (Iloilo Capitol PIO)
The DOH, the Iloilo provincial government, and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the program’s third phase on Wednesday, June 21.
Dr. Adriano P. Suba-an, DOH-6 director, said that they want other local government units (LGUs) to implement a systematic program in detection and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardio-vascular diseases.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. said the 16 towns are Ajuy, Alimodian, Anilao, Badiangan, Banate, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Dueñas, Janiuay, Lambunao, Lemery, Mina, New Lucena, San Enrique, and Zarraga.
WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus said that all NCDs are preventable and that they are supporting DOH to reduce mortality rates.
The Healthy Hearts program seeks to capacitate barangay health workers (BHWs) who are the grassroots health personnel.
The DOH first implemented the Healthy Hearts program in Iloilo in 2021. Around 25,000 residents in southern Iloilo have benefited from the program.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, chief of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), said that seven out of the Top 10 leading causes of deaths in Iloilo are NCDs, including cardio-vascular diseases.