Dr. Philip Ian Padilla, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, along with Professors Josephine Firmase, Melanie Sartorio, and Alexander Porras, served as facilitators in the World Health Organization’s Policy Workshop for 11 Iloilo LGUs in Diversion 21 Hotel last 9-11 Nov. 2022.
The main objective of the workshop was the crafting of an ordinance on non-communicable diseases (NCD), specifically on the establishment of the Healthy Hearts Club in their respective LGUs. San Joaquin, Tubungan, Igbaras, Tigbauan, and Oton, which served as the pilot areas for the WHO Healthy Hearts Program, were joined by Passi City, Concepcion, Zarraga, Sta Barbara, Banate, and Lambunao. They were represented either by their vice-mayor, SB on health, or Municipal Health Officer (MHO).
Both UPV Municipal Leadership and Governance Program alumni, namely Igbaras Mayor Jovic Escorpion and former Tubungan Mayor Itik Gargaritano, now Tubungan SB member, personally attended the workshop.
Hypertension has become prevalent in the latest health statistics in the Philippines, with a reported 37% of adults, 20 years old and above, having elevated blood pressure. Diabetes, meanwhile, is now considered a pandemic affecting 3 million Filipinos, which can lead to chronic kidney, eye, and neuropathic diseases.
The Healthy Hearts Program focuses on hypertension and diabetes prevention through increased physical activity, healthy diet, avoidance of smoking and drinking, and treatment through screening of potential list of patients with master lists, monitoring of blood sugar and blood pressure, and dispensing of anti-hypertension and diabetes medicines.
The expected ordinance output will establish a Healthy Hearts Program in the participating LGUs that emphasizes the above interventions to decrease morbidity and mortality due to NCDs.
This has been a continuing partnership of UPV with DOH6, Iloilo Provincial Health Office, Iloilo MLGUs, and WHO, designed to help improve the local health systems for better health outcomes.
UPV, as represented by UPV Foundation, Inc. in this partnership, continues to fulfill its mandate on public service for the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. (UPV IPO)
Thank you Dr. Philip Ian Padilla, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, along with Professors Josephine Firmase, Melanie Sartorio, and Alexander Porras, for serving as facilitators in the World Health Organization’s Policy Workshop.