By Gynna P. Gagelonia
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA, January 12-13, 2024 -- Under the Pampanga sun and balmy air, 411 hearts (cardiologists, internists, primary care physicians, general practitioners and nurses) from across the country beat as one in their clamor for “Cardiology for ALL” at the Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology (PHA-PCC) Midyear Convention 2024, held at the SMX Convention Center this city, which is touted as the industrial and residential heartland of Central Luzon.
Their common thrusts: To keep PHA members in step with global cardiovascular trends and be at par with foreign colleagues; and to equip- non-cardiologists with the ABCs of cardiovascular cases like diagnosis and emergency care, this way, patients referred to a heart specialists and a tertiary hospital with cardiovascular facilities. This redounds to efficient care for every Juan dela Cruz heart patient.
Their common thrusts: To keep PHA members in step with global cardiovascular trends and be at par with foreign colleagues; and to equip- non-cardiologists with the ABCs of cardiovascular cases like diagnosis and emergency care, this way, patients referred to a heart specialists and a tertiary hospital with cardiovascular facilities. This redounds to efficient care for every Juan dela Cruz heart patient.
PHA Central Luzon Chapter played host to the revived and revved up midyear confab which took a force halt for three years due to the pandemic. The two-day scientific meeting tackled hot topics like hypertension, chronic coronary syndrome, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, acute coronary syndrome, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, valvular heart disease, women’s heart health, women’s heart health, cardiovascular considerations in sexual health and preventive cardiology.
Pampanga was the choice for special and pragmatic reasons.
Pampanga was the choice for special and pragmatic reasons.
Dr. Ronald Cuyco, PHA president said that “PHA Central Luzon was the unanimous choice because it has distinguished itself as one the of most active and competitive PHA chapters; has a good number of hands--more than 100 members who are always willing to put their 100 percent into the PHA chapters’ research and advocacy commitments and initiatives.”
Accessibility and engineering marvels are the other plus factors. “Clark which is a two-hour breezy drive from Manila teems with posh convention, hotel, and food and beverage facilities. Clark International Airport is right in the heart of Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga,” according to Dr. Rodney Jimenez, PHA vice president and over-all chair of the PHA Midyear Convention 2024.
And the “Kapampangans” are reputed to be a genial host. Pampanga is also known as a culinary hub.
PHA Chapter President Dr. Rayzen Canono-Lim who took on the colossal task as a sort of bragging rights and baptism of fire, said that “I attribute the success of the event to the meticulous and hardworking Organizing Committee which is composed of PHA National and Central Luzon chapter members. It was a job well done because we thrive on the Filipino bayanihan spirit.”
Definitely, the entire PHA family added another feather on its cap. Every PHA member and convention attendee will leave SMX with loads of cardiovascular pearls of practical know-how. (Francis Cortes)
