The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) has flagged six provinces—Abra, Aurora, Siquijor, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi—as having no practicing cardiologists, highlighting a critical gap in access to heart care for around 2.5 million residents.
PHA national president Dr. Walid Amil emphasized the hardship faced by patients in these areas, who must travel long distances by land or sea to consult a heart specialist. “The number of cardiologists is insufficient. Residents in these provinces often have to cover hundreds of kilometers or cross seas just for consultation,” he said.
The association aims to eventually have at least one cardiologist in every city nationwide, a long-term plan considered crucial to lowering preventable deaths from cardiovascular disease. “Our goal is to establish a cardiologist in each city. Even if it takes years or decades, laying the groundwork now is what matters,” Amil added.
This initiative aligns with national health priorities. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a previous State of the Nation Address, pledged to expand specialty hospitals across the country, using the Philippine Heart Center as a model for accessible, advanced cardiac care. The government seeks to bring life-saving heart services closer to remote communities, reducing the need for long travel.
To help address the shortage, the PHA recruits 120 to 150 new cardiology graduates annually, presenting them with the association’s vision and a map of underserved areas to encourage practice in provinces without specialists. Challenges remain, however, including limited healthcare facilities in remote areas and new graduates’ preference for private practice in urban centers.
Despite these obstacles, progress has been made. The Department of Health and the Philippine Heart Center have established 17 heart centers nationwide, and 27 cardiology training programs operate across the country, including four in the Visayas and two in Mindanao. The PHA now counts 2,545 members, with a national ratio of one cardiologist per 45,000 patients, though gaps remain in provinces with no specialists.
In the meantime, the PHA plans to create sub-chapters in provinces without cardiologists. These groups will include internists and general physicians as associate members to implement community heart health programs, such as hands-only CPR training and patient education. “This approach will allow residents to access care locally without incurring high travel costs,” Amil said.
On Saturday, the PHA will hold a fellowship meeting for new graduates to promote its mission and encourage participation in the nationwide goal of placing at least one cardiologist in every city.
This initiative is part of the broader effort to reduce the nation’s cardiovascular disease burden and ensure equitable access to specialized care, particularly in underserved areas.