Officials from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Board of Directors of the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) join DOH-CALABARZON Regional Director Dr Eduardo Janairo and PSH President Dr Alberto Atilano in leading the pledge to an integrated assessment and management of hypertension and lifestyle-related diseases.
PSH, DOH launch Cardiovascular Risk Assessment & Management Initiative
The Department of Health (DOH) joined hands with the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) at the inception of the Cardiovascular Risk Assessment & Management Initiative last 11 January 2019 at the Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City. The initiative was attended by medical practitioners, health care executives and health workers from the government and private sectors. It aims to improve the early detection of risk factors and conditions that can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), so that cost-effective and sustainable intervention and management can be provided to decrease the prevalence of these diseases in the succeeding years. This can be achieved through the expanded implementation of the Philippine Package for Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions (PhilPEN). “The greater progress in addressing CVD can be achieved through the cooperation of different sectors,” stated Dr Eduardo Janairo, Regional Director of DOH-CALABARZON.
“We need to start implementing interventions for the people to be protected from CVD, including hypertension and stroke,” Dr Janairo added. A multisectoral approach would be needed to create an empowering environment, with greater focus on prevention in the future. The event included lectures to update the attendees on the recent principles and guidelines in the management of hypertension, as well as the integrated and public health approach to hypertension and diabetes in a situation in which there are few resources available. This culminated in Dr Janairo and Dr Atilano asking the delegates to join in this initiative, to which they received an enthusiastic pledge. Three out of 10 of the leading causes of diseases among Filipinos involve CVD, which comprise of ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and other heart diseases. CVD may be rooted from medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, which in turn, may result from risky behavior including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and stress.
“The Cardiovascular Risk Assessment & Management Initiative is part of a global campaign of the World Health Organization to address the burden of non-communicable diseases, with emphasis on CVD,”
Dr. Alberto Atilano, PSH President
“The Cardiovascular Risk Assessment & Management Initiative is part of a global campaign of the World Health Organization to address the burden of non-communicable diseases, with emphasis on CVD,” said Dr Alberto Atilano, the president of the PSH. Cavite was designated the pilot site for this initiative, but upon its successful implementation, it will be duplicated in the entire CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region, and eventually in the entire country.
CVD is one of the key focus of the DOH, and PSH is committed to promote and encourage the advancement of scientific research and knowledge to apply these to prevent and manage heart diseases and stroke in the Philippines
