PHA launches Sulu Subchapter to expand heart care access

A woman in a pink sweater holding a pink heart-shaped toy, symbolizing love and kindness. Photo: Puwadon Sang-ngern/Pexels

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) National, in partnership with the ZamBaSulTa Chapter, formally launched the PHA Sulu Subchapter on April 25, 2026, at the Sulu Provincial Multipurpose Gym. This initiative expands the organization’s reach across the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, aiming to decentralize heart health services and extend access to cardiovascular care for residents in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. The launching event concluded with a large-scale hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for community members, including barangay health workers, police officers, and frontline responders.

Expanding Care to Island Communities

Access to specialized cardiac care remains a significant challenge in the region. Cardiologists are concentrated in Zamboanga City, leaving island provinces like Sulu with limited direct access to expert medical attention. The newly formed subchapter will focus on guiding heart-related care in the province. In the absence of resident cardiologists, internal medicine physicians are expected to take on a critical role in managing patient health.

The Sulu Subchapter’s leadership team includes health professionals from various institutions. Drs. Nhamier Jikiri, Ahkramien Hassan, Janice de Grace Tulawie, Nelpra Iribani, and Kaneez Fatima Amilasan from the Sulu IPHO; Armalyn Hajijul-Ladjahiran and Kenerham Abdurahman from Maimbung District Hospital; and Rofaida Aming, Meccar Elino, Fatima Dhiena Julhan, and Fatima Yuzra Sampang from Sulu Sanitarium were inducted. The group also includes general practitioners Drs. Muhammad Matingka and Ameer Eldin Ahmad, OB-gynecologist Dr. Nehama Nemertina Tan, and anesthesiologist Dr. Reynaldo Pescadera.

Leadership and Government Support

PHA National President Dr. Walid Amil, the association’s first Mindanaoan leader, emphasized the importance of addressing gaps in healthcare accessibility. “Making heart care accessible is one of our core priorities,” he said. “While we have made significant progress over the years, there are still communities that remain underserved, especially those without specialists.”

Dr. Amelyn Ulanghutan, President of the ZamBaSulTa Chapter, joined Dr. Amil in leading the ceremony. The provincial government of Sulu, led by Gov. Abdusakur “Totoh” Tan, expressed full support for the partnership.

The PHA’s broader vision focuses on achieving “One Cardiologist for Every City.” According to national data, the Philippines has approximately 2,546 cardiologists serving an estimated 114 million people, which is equivalent to roughly one specialist for every 44,800 Filipinos.