ILOILO – Twenty local government units (LGUs) in this province received a total of 492 Omron blood pressure apparatuses from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Nov. 21.
This donation was part of the Healthy Heart Project, a collaborative effort between WHO, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Iloilo provincial government.
The apparatuses are destined for use in Rural Health Units (RHUs) across these LGUs to facilitate blood pressure monitoring for patients with hypertension.
The beneficiaries were Badiangan, Batad, Lemery, Zarraga, Alimodian, Mina, New Lucena, Dueñas, Anilao, San Enrique, Concepcion, Janiuay, Ajuy, Carles, Lambunao, Banate, Pototan, Pavia, Passi City, and Barotac Nuevo.
The Healthy Heart Project aims to curb mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions.
It includes interventions like promoting healthy lifestyles, applying evidence-based treatment protocols, ensuring access to essential NCD medicines, and implementing monitoring systems.
During a recent midterm implementation review of the Healthy Heart Project, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) oversaw the distribution of these apparatuses.
The review session also served to assess the performance and progress of each LGU in the project.
The first phase of the Healthy Heart Project, a pilot program conducted in 2021 by WHO and DOH, was implemented in the 1st District of Iloilo and some municipalities in Antique. It targeted over 24,600 adults, with a reported 80% success rate in controlling hypertension among patients.
Following the pilot’s success, the project expanded to include 20 additional LGUs. Since June 2023, of the 24,493 patients who sought consultations in these new sites, 20 percent have achieved controlled hypertension levels.
In addition to WHO and DOH support, the provincial government, headed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., allocates P5 million annually for the purchase of hypertensive medications, benefiting 43 LGUs in the province.
The Healthy Heart Project plans to extend its reach to all 43 towns in Iloilo, including Passi City, by 2024. The remaining 16 towns slated for inclusion by 2024 are Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Dingle, Dumangas, Estancia, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, San Dionisio, San Miguel, San Rafael, Santa Barbara, and Sara./PN
