MORE MORE! EAT RIGHT! PROTECT YOUR HEART- DOH-ILOCOS REGION

February 24, 2023 Provincial

Department of Health – Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco told everyone to protect their heart by engaging in physical activity and eating healthy and proper diet to prevent the onset
of cardiovascular diseases during the opening of the KaHeartner Campaign at the Saint Louis College (SLC) in San Fernando City, La Union last Monday, February 20, 2023. “This KaHeartner Campaign is a national campaign that spotlights cardiovascular health.

Kadalasan ay ang mga elderly natin ang tinatamaan nito ngunit isa na rin itong suliranin ngayon sa ating kabataang edad 16 to 24 years old.” “Dito sa Region 1, pangalawa po ang heart diseases with a mortality rate of 107 % at ang nangunguna ay ang respiratory diseases na mayroon 110% na mortality rate. Ito ay ayon sa datos na naitala ng region noong 2020,” Sydiongco stated. “We need to focus on preventing the onset of cardiovascular diseases heart diseases through an effective health promotion program and activities.

That is why we are launching the “KaHeartner Campaign” not just to celebrate heart month but also to motivate Filipinos to get involved and adopt healthy lifestyle.” “By enabling ourselves to acquire the proper information and having an informed choice towards a wide range of social and
environmental interventions we can have the ability to cope with and address health challenges which can lead us to improve our health.”

“This is the essence of health promotion and this is the reason why we are advocating this very
important activity – to build healthy public policies, create supportive environments, and strengthen community action and personal skills,” Sydiongco emphasized. Activities conducted by
partner agencies during the program include a bikeathon, dance competition, hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), focus group discussion on lifestyle diseases, cooking demo,
prescriptions on healthy diet, exercise and smoking; oral health service, PHILPEN (Philippine
Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease Prevention and medical consultation.

Several booths were also put up for Covid-19 vaccination, drug abuse awareness, smoking prevention and nutrition. A total of 1,300 students and faculty of SLC availed of the various health services during the one-day activity. The campaign was conducted in partnership with Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, National Nutrition Council, PNP, BJMP, DSWD, La Union PHO, DPWH, DENR and PIA. “I enjoin everyone to boost our efforts in providing health information to lessen non-communicable diseases in the region,” Sydionco concluded.

Glen S. Ramos/CMU/DOH-Ilocos Region