Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) being the leading cause of death in the country, with a population exceeding 115.56 million as of 2022, there are only over 2,000 practicing internist-cardiologists nationwide.
Currently, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) has 2,313 heart health experts, aiming to promote cardiovascular research, teaching, and practice in the Far East since March 1952. However, most PHA member-doctors are based in Metro Manila, with the rest disproportionately scattered in 18 PHA Chapters across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Encouraging their members to return to their hometowns, the PHA aims to establish a healthy medical community and bridge the shortage of heart doctors. The PHA Midyear Convention 2024, themed “Cardiology for ALL,” surpassed its goal with 411 delegates, offering insights into recent CVD developments for various healthcare professionals.
Dr. Rodney Jimenez, vice president of PHA, and chair of the convention, stated, “This convention covers the ground for two days from the basics to the latest in cardiology, addressing primary care and cardiology topics.”
The event provides valuable insights into CVD management for different healthcare professionals through expert-led sessions and practical workshops.
Dr. Alex Junia, president of the ASEAN Federation of Cardiology, delivered a plenary lecture sharing experiences in leading academic societies.
Dr. Ronald Cuyco, president of PHA, emphasized the importance of recognizing Valvular Heart Disease (VHD) for primary care physicians. The convention reaffirmed PHA’s commitment to reducing heart diseases in Filipinos and making the Philippines a leading cardiology center in the region.
Despite a three-year hiatus, the face-to-face convention signifies a return to normalcy. Cuyco stressed the need for primary care providers to acquire VHD recognition skills for emergency care.
