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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider PHA alarmed over cardiologist shortage

PHA alarmed over cardiologist shortage

Published Aug 13, 2025 11:20 am
PHILIPPINE Heart Association (PHA) National President Dr. Walid Amil (center) with new officials of the PHA-Western Visayas chapter in Iloilo City.  (Tara Yap)
PHILIPPINE Heart Association (PHA) National President Dr. Walid Amil (center) with new officials of the PHA-Western Visayas chapter in Iloilo City.  (Tara Yap)

 ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) is alarmed by the shortage of cardiologists in the country with only one cardiologist for every 44,000 Filipinos.
“There’s only 2,500 cardiologists in the country with a population of around 112 million people,” said Dr. Walid Amil, PHA national president. 
Speaking at the recent oathtaking of PHA-Western Visayas Chapter officials, Amil said there is a need to train more cardiologists to serve other areas in the country.
 PHA data showed that around 60 percent of the 2,500 cardiologists are mainly in Metro Manila.
 To bridge the gap, the PHA, under Amil’s leadership, is implementing the “One Cardiologist for Every City” training program. 
Dr. Maria Sylvia Theresa de Pili, PHA Western Visayas chapter president for 2025-2026, said they hope to train more young cardiologists in the region.
 Western Visayas only has 67 cardiologists serving those who have cardiovascular diseases and are mainly based in Iloilo City.
 De Pili said there also should be more cardiologists who will serve in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces. 
The PHA-Western Visayas welcomed the recent accreditation of the Heart Center of Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), the hospital owned and operated by the Department of Health (DOH) in Iloilo City.
 Dr. Mae Dagooc, WVMC Heart Center head, said this will serve as a training ground for young cardiologists in the region.
 The WVMC Heart Center, established with the technical guidance of the Philippine Heart Center, is part of decentralizing cardiovascular services outside of Metro Manila.

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