The newly-installed president of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Central Luzon Chapter, Dr. Michelle Nieves, announced the launch of the HEART (Health Education, Advocacy, Research, and Transformation) Alliance Flagship Project. Nieves, the 19th and fifth female president of the chapter, emphasized that the HEART Alliance is more than a program—it is a commitment to build healthier families, communities, and a healthier Philippines.
First revolutionary CVD prevention initiative
The HEART Alliance is described as the first revolutionary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management initiative. It involves a multi-sectoral network of doctors from diverse disciplines, including cardiologists, pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, family physicians, occupational medicine specialists, and dentists. Local government units, schools, barangays, and community stakeholders are also part of the network.
According to Nieves, these groups are committed to establishing and transforming the HEART Alliance into a coordinated and sustainable advocacy program. The program focuses on youth empowerment, women's cardiovascular health, workplace wellness, community screening, and research initiatives. This reflects the PHA Central Luzon Chapter's belief that sustainable cardiovascular care requires broad community participation.
Vision and national priorities
The PHA Central Luzon Vision is "Healthy Hearts, Empowered Communities." The group said it is launching the fight against the CVD menace in every home, school, workplace, and community. Under the leadership of Dr. Aurora Gamponia, PHA National's top priorities include: One Cardiologist for Every City and Province (to bring accessible cardiology services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas), hands-only CPR programs, and the Rheumatic Heart Disease PH Eradication Program. Gamponia is the fifth pediatric cardiologist and the 10th woman to lead the national organization.
Cardiologist shortage and expansion plans
More than half of the PHA's 2,500 members are concentrated in Metro Manila, while only 48 percent serve the rest of the country's more than 110 million Filipinos. The PHA said the significant ratio is one cardiologist for every 44,000 Filipinos. After establishing cardiovascular services in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Sibugay in the ZamBaSulTa Sub-region through the formation of their respective Sub-Chapters, the period between July 2026 and June 30, 2027 will see the birth of 14 more PHA Sub-Chapters in 14 provinces where there are no heart doctors. Currently, tops on the list are Dinagat Island and Camiguin.
