On May 28, 2024, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) and the Philippine College of Cardiology held their 54th Annual Convention at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, bringing the nation’s focus to heart health at their “PHA Usapang Puso sa Puso” convention.
This year, the spotlight was on two critical life-saving measures: the CPR Act, now eight years in action, and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Bill, which has been six years in the making. The key question: Where do we stand, and where are we headed?
PHA’s initiatives, CPR-Ready and CPR on Wheels & Wings, have achieved impressive milestones, transforming tourist spots into heart-health emergency zones and training 2 million Filipinos in basic life-saving skills. Despite these successes, a crucial question remains: When will the legislative framework keep pace?
The CPR Act marked significant progress, but the AED Bill is still navigating the legislative process. Various versions have been introduced in Congress, but progress has been slow. During the convention, PHA and its allies from Congress and the Department of Health sought to align their efforts and advance this life-saving bill. The goal is to ensure that every public space in the Philippines is equipped with AEDs, making heart emergencies more survivable.
Hands-only CPR is a proven life-saver—simple, effective, and something anyone can do. The CPR-readyPH campaign aims to make this knowledge widespread, aligning the nation with global standards. However, the conversation must go further. The AED Bill is crucial to ensure that when CPR isn’t enough, an AED is available to deliver a life-saving shock.
Transforming tourist destinations into CPR and AED havens is a commendable step. But the next logical move is to ensure all public places, from schools to shopping malls, are similarly equipped. Training the public in both CPR and AED use creates a culture of preparedness where saving a life becomes second nature.
Understanding the links between arrhythmia, ischemia, and other cardiovascular diseases underscores the urgency of this campaign. Having AEDs readily available is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. AEDs and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are wise public health investments, bridging the gap between a medical emergency and professional care, often making the difference between life and death.
Collaborating with legislative champions like Hon. Anthony Rolando Golez, Jr., and Hon. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, PHA’s message is clear: It’s time to fast-track the AED Bill. Equipping the nation with the tools and knowledge to handle heart emergencies is essential. The vision is bold but achievable—a CPR-ready and AED-equipped Philippines, where every heartbeat counts and every life can be saved.
The CPR Act was a crucial first step, but the AED Bill is the next vital stride towards a heart-safe nation. With relentless efforts from PHA and legislative support, this vision can become reality. Progress may have its challenges, but with continued effort and public support, we can ensure a steady, life-saving beat for the future. For more information, visit https://www.philheart.org/
📩 𝘋𝘔 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘴, 𝘍𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
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