Despite the fact that diseases of the heart and blood vessels collectively known as cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the top cause of death in the country, and the population continues to soar (recorded at 115.56 million as of 2022), there are only over 2,000 practicing internist-cardiologists in the country.
Currently, there are 2,313 heart health experts who are members of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), whose mandate is to stimulate cardiovascular research, teaching, and practice in the Far East since March 1952, as a collegiate group. However, the majority of the PHA member-doctors are based in Metro Manila, while the rest are disproportionately scattered in the 18 PHA Chapters in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Thus, time and again, the PHA pillars never tire themselves from constantly encouraging and swaying their newly-minted members to go back to their respective hometowns to serve their “kababayans” or “cabalens” and be a frontliner in establishing a healthy medical community.
PHA Midyear Convention 2024: Cardiology for All
To bridge the gap in shortage of heart doctors; and to educate and empower non-cardiologist physicians with the ABCs of CVD, the PHA Midyear Convention 2024 is themed: Cardiology for ALL.”
The event offers valuable insights into recent developments/breakthroughs in CVD management for cardiologists, doctors from other disciplines, general practitioners/primary care physicians, nurses, et al, through the expert-led sessions and practical workshops.
PHA Vice President Dr. Rodney Jimenez, chair of the PHA Midyear Convention 2024, said, “this convention is packed with topics that matter to us in primary care and cardiology. We'll cover the ground today, from the basics to the latest in cardiology.”
And because doctors see all sorts of health urgencies and emergencies in their daily practices, “you will get tips on how to handle these situations better. We've got sessions planned throughout the day that cover various aspects of heart health. From dealing with heart failure to understanding the best ways to educate our younger patients through social media, there's something here for all of us, “Jimenez added.
The Plenary lecture of Dr. Alex Junia, president of the Asean Federation of Cardiology (AFC), will share his great and challenging experiences in leading different academic societies, both local and international, and the doctors’ roles beyond their clinics and hospitals.
Serving patients better with the latest in cardiology
The two-day confab is about learning how to serve patients better with the latest in cardiology.
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| Dr. Ronald Cuyco |
PHA President Dr. Ronald Cuyco said, “for almost four years, we haven’t had our midyear convention and the last one was in Cebu, that was pre-COVID. We are excited that this year we are doing it face-to-face, we are back to normal and we are co-organizing it with one of the most active chapters of the society, the PHA Central Luzon under the leadership of Dr. Rayzen Canono-Lim.”
“Recognition of VHD is a skill that primary care physicians or primary care providers (who are based in hospitals which do not have cardiologists and cardiovascular department) should acquire. Once knowledgeable, they could give emergency care to VHD patients, and refer them to cardiologist- echocardiographer or a tertiary hospital for proper care,” Cuyco stressed.
Through this particular midyear confab, the PHA pledges anew to continue its mission and commitment to reduce the ravages of heart diseases among Filipinos, and intently focus on its vision to make the Philippines a leading center of cardiology in the region.
#cardiology
#philippineheartassociation
#PHAmidyearconvention2024
#CVDs #heartdisease
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