PHA, ZamBaSulTa launch Sulu Subchapter to make heart care accessible in Jolo

PHA, ZamBaSulTa launch Sulu Subchapter to make heart care accessible in Jolo | By Leony Garcia | Advancing its mission to decentralize heart health services in underserved areas and bring care closer to every Filipino, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) National, together with the ZamBaSulTa Chapter, formally launched the PHA Sulu Subchapter on April 25, 2026, at the Sulu Provincial Multipurpose Gym.

The launching, followed by the oathtaking of the PHA Sulu officers, marks the final leg of the ZamBaSulTa expansion—completing the organization’s presence across the region and extending access to cardiovascular care to communities across Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. 

This initiative reflects the PHA’s long-term vision of achieving “One Cardiologist for Every City.” Access to specialized cardiac care remains a major challenge in the region. While a small number of cardiologists serve the broader population, most are concentrated in Zamboanga City, leaving island provinces like Sulu with limited direct access to expert care.

The newly appointed sub-chapter officer’s health professionals who willingly embraced the call were composed of internal medicine physicians, general practitioners, an OB-gynecologist, and an anesthesiologist. They will now lead cardiovascular initiatives in the province. In the absence of cardiologists, internists are expected to take on a critical role in managing and guiding heart-related care.

Inducted were Drs. Nhamier Jikiri, Ahkramien Hassan, Janice de Grace Tulawie, Nelpra Iribani, and Kaneez Fatima Amilasan from 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. They were joined by general practitioners Drs. Muhammad Matingka and Ameer Eldin Ahmad, OB-gynecologist Dr. Nehama Nemertina Tan, and anesthesiologist Dr. Reynaldo Pescadera.

Leading the ceremony were PHA National President Dr. Walid Amil—the association’s first Mindanaoan leader—and Dr. Amelyn Ulanghutan, President of the ZamBaSulTa Chapter, alongside PHA ZamBaSulTa Past President Dr. Kristine Bantala Supnet, Vice President Dr. Sherryl Lukman, member Dr. Nurhaya Ismael, and PHA Board of Directors Finance Officer Mr. Romy Cruz. 

Dr. Amil emphasized that the expansion addresses long-standing gaps in healthcare accessibility, particularly in areas without resident cardiologists.

“Making heart care accessible is one of our core priorities. While we have made significant progress over the years, there are still communities that remain underserved, especially those without specialists,” he said.

The provincial government of Sulu led by Gov. Abdusakur “Totoh” Tan was elated for this development in the medical and healthcare landscape of the province. In a meeting prior to this momentous event, he expressed whole support and gratitude to the PHA for this new partnership. 

Nationwide, the Philippines has around 2,546 cardiologists serving an estimated 114 million people—equivalent to roughly one specialist for every 44,800 Filipinos. Although Metro Manila has a higher concentration, many provinces continue to face shortages.

The program ended with a large-scale hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for community members, including barangay health workers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, students, the Sulu Red Cross team and other frontliners.