One of the Philippines’ most common crises includes heart diseases like heart failure, hypertensive heart disease and ischemic heart disease. Cardiovascular disease causes one-third of deaths in the Philippines. An example of its impact is during a 6-month period from January to July in 2023, where doctors recorded more than 65,000 ischemic heart disease cases, accounting for 19% of all deaths. This has weakened many Filipinos’ immune systems, making them highly vulnerable. While this remains a severe challenge in the Philippines, three organizations have stepped up to the cause and started fighting heart disease in the country.

The Connection Between Poverty and Heart Disease

The link between poverty and heart disease is striking. As of 2023, 15.5% of the Filipino population lives below the national poverty line. The causes of cardiovascular disease include the inability to afford proper living conditions, limited access to food and dirty water — all challenges that low-income Filipinos face daily. They also confront another difficult sacrifice: a normal heart failure hospitalization in a private hospital costs about ₱42,000, which exceeds 10% of the average Filipino’s annual salary. The nation covers only some of this cost, forcing Filipinos to choose between survival and a long treatment. Research from the University of the Philippines highlights a shortage of doctors relative to the population, and too many cardiovascular disease patients receive diagnoses far too late for quality treatment. Here is information about three organizations fighting heart disease in the Philippines.

1. Children’s Heart Foundation

The Children’s Heart Foundation stands among several organizations working to change the lives of people with heart disease. It works to address heart problems so that future generations experience fewer cardiovascular diseases, improving global health. Volunteers founded it in 2000 and launched it with a fundraiser for a single cardiovascular patient. Since then, it has evolved into a nonprofit organization that serves low-income Filipinos tirelessly. It provides quality medical care for free, stopping many heart diseases before they turn fatal. Partnering with the Philippines Heart Center, the foundation delivers financial aid to those who need it most. It also builds a network connecting young and old patients, creating valuable social opportunities.

2. Gift of Life International

Gift of Life International provides care to children suffering from heart disease in the Philippines. This international organization receives requests to aid certain countries, with the greatest need coming from Manila. It has built strong partnerships with local groups and have saved more than 7,000 Filipino children. Gift of Life International pursues four main goals: securing donations, helping people with cardiovascular disease across multiple nations, handling incoming requests and managing volunteer involvement in ongoing efforts. This organization sets a strong example for others on how to improve healthcare access in the Philippines.

3. The Philips Foundation

The Philips Foundation also tackles the challenge of diagnosing cardiovascular heart disease early so that patients avoid fatal consequences. It raises awareness about global health across communities in the Philippines. Its plan involves training 200 teachers to identify students with cardiovascular diseases, a strategy that could save many lives by allowing teachers to spot warning signs early and enable sooner treatment. Using techniques like handheld ultrasound screeners, the program reaches areas where no nearby medical facilities exist. In the future, this project could expand across the entire Philippines, inspiring further change in the fight against heart disease.

Looking Ahead

Certain organizations are driving real progress against heart disease in the Philippines. Through financial assistance, lifesaving surgery and innovative early detection tools, organizations like the Children’s Heart Foundation, Gift of Life International and the Philips Foundation are changing the numbers for heart disease patients in the Philippines. These efforts create safer and more equitable conditions for Filipinos and their future generations, proving that the fight against heart disease in the Philippines moves in the right direction.

– Brijesh Mohan

Brijesh is based in Kendall Park, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr