About PSH
The Philippine Society of Hypertension Inc. (PSH) was
incorporated on 7 January 1993 by medical health providers
concerned with the diagnosis, management, treatment, and
prevention of hypertension. These providers include
internist-cardiologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists,
neurologists, obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians,
occupational and family physicians and practitioners from
other medical disciplines.
We are determined to control hypertension using a total
quality management approach, which involves reciprocal
communication between providers and clients facilitated by
paramedical representatives and the media.
We are a member of the International Society of Hypertension
(ISH) and World Hypertension League (WHL).
Our membership is comprised of over 2,000 medical health
providers, as well as non-medical individuals and 13
corporate members from pharmaceutical companies involved in
promoting health. Through the years, the PSH has been
actively looking for ways to increase awareness of
hypertension among the lay population, improve knowledge
among practitioners and encourage research among students
and professionals alike:
Our History
The years 1993 to 1997 were distinguishing milestones in the
development of PSH as a society. Dr. Ramon F. Abarquez
Jr.(+), the founder of PSH, became the first president of
the society in 1993. The society’s focused mission was to
prevent and control hypertension in the Philippines.
Initial activities of PSH contributing to its success:
The society implemented a nationwide survey in December 1994
to determine health care providers’ concepts, attitudes and
practices regarding hypertension in the Philippines.
The society implemented a nationwide survey in December 1994
to determine health care providers’ concepts, attitudes and
practices regarding hypertension in the Philippines.
The first PSH annual convention on 9-10 of February 1995
held at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas Pasig was in
cooperation with the visiting faculty of the ISH. This aimed
to improve the physician’s knowledge about hypertension by
providing lectures on research updates and new developments
in therapeutic management.
The first joint annual convention of PSH and Philippine
Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) transpired on 10-11
February 1995 Edsa Shangri-La Hotel with the participation
of visiting luminaries from ISH. This was the first time
that a medical society meeting was simultaneously-telecast
in four cities: Manila, Davao City, Cebu City and Legaspi
City. The society participated in the World Conference on
Hypertension Control held on 22-24 June 1995 in Ottawa,
Canada, sponsored by the WHL dedicated to promote the
detection, control and prevention of arterial
hypertension.
PSH created a workshop on “Hypertension Control: Setting an
Agenda for Multi-Sectoral Collaboration” held on 12 August
1995 at the Developmental Academy of the Phils., Pasig City,
which aimed to identify priority issues or concerns in
hypertension control that should be addressed in the
Philippines and to convene multi-sectoral task forces that
would draft guidelines for addressing these priorities.
The Society initiated a workshop on “Consensus Building and
Guideline Development on 28 October 1995 at the Don Jacinto
Building in Makati City, initiating the creation and
development of clinical guidelines that would help health
providers in translating science and research into
action.
The second joint annual convention of PSH and PLSA was held
together with the Second Pacific Rim Conference on February
1, 1996 at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel with the
cooperation of world-renowned speakers. This time, the Asian
Pacific Society of Hypertension (APSH) was organized and
born --and PSH’s very own Dr. Abarquez became a member of
the board for APSH.
In 1997, this society hosted the 2nd Pacific Rim Conference
on Hypertension Control --where the completed Philippine
Hypertension Guidelines was presented and distributed to all
practicing Filipino doctors, and subsequently published in
the 1997 Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine.
1998 to 2000 highlighted the collaboration of PSH with other societies on creating and developing projects with the desire to achieve common goals of health promotion and disease prevention.
The February 1998 4th joint annual convention of this society
and PLAS had the theme “Smoking, Eating, Exercise,
Hypertension, Diabetes, Lipidemia (S.E.X.H.D.L.). This society
together with PLAS and the former Philippine Diabetes
Association, participated in the FNRI-DOH sponsored lipid
profile, glucose detection and single-visit hypertension
prevalence survey which was chaired by Dr. Rody G. Sy.
The 5th joint Annual Scientific Meeting of this society and
Philippine Lipid Society (PLS) held in 1999 had the theme
“S.E.X. – H.D.L. – A Family Affair” was participated in by the
following societies: Institute for the study of Diabetes
Foundation (ISDF), Philippine Association for the Study of
Overweight and Obesity (PASOO), Philippine College of
Physicians (PCP), Philippine Diabetes Association (PDA),
Philippine Hearth Association (PHA), Philippine Society of
Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM), Philippine Society of
Nephrology (PSN), and Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP).
This meeting focused on hypertension, diabetes or lipid
control using multi-sectoral approach.
The society participated in the 7th World Congress of Cardiac
Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention which transpired on
20-24 February 2000 at Philippine International Convention
Center (PICC), Manila. This was in collaboration with PDA,
PSEM and Philippine Society of Obesity and Overweight. The
topics were focused on atherosclerosis, highlighting its
current concepts and clinical therapeutic implications.
In 2000, the president of the society, Dr. Abarquez, presented
the PSH Hypertension Control Program to the Congress and in
the Regional World Hearth League (WHL) and Second
International Symposium on Hypertension and Related Diseases
in Beijing China.
Several research studies and surveys were also supported by
the Society in collaboration with other societies:
The S.E.X. – H.D.L. – A Family Affair Research Study was
conducted by this society in Albay with the support of the Dr.
Elias S. Imperial Foundation and DOH. The objective is to
determine the awareness and detection of risk factors such as
Smoking, over Eating and Exercise-lack (S.E.X.) of
Hypertension, Diabetes and Lipidemia (H.D.L) at different
education levels and industry-based worksites.
The Survey on the Prevalance of Coronary Risk Factors in
Patients with Other Pre-Existing Disease was conducted by the
society in cooperation with the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Bank (PNB). The
objectives were 1) to determine the prevalence of coronary
risk factors on sub-sample of Filipinos and 2) to determine
the mean BMI, mean lipid profile and fasting blood sugar on a
sub-sample of Filipinos.
The Hypertension Guidelines Survey was a nationwide survey
created by the society among academic medical institutions
with the objective of determining if they follow practice
guidelines on hypertension.
2001 highlighted the changes and new activities that exemplified the continuous growth of PSH
In 2001, Dr. Gregorio B. Patacsil became the new president.
Formation of PSH Mission, Vision and Values. Mission: To
prevent and control hypertension in the Philippines. Vision: A
progressive decline in hypertension prevalence, risks and
complications through multidisciplinary action. Transfer of
the PSH office to Unit 309, Amberland Plaza Building, Julia
Vargas, Ortigas Complex, Pasig City Blood Pressure
Certification Class was created with the first session
conducted on 26, April 2001. This focused on information
dissemination of ensuring that blood pressure was properly
measured in accordance with international standards.
The society participated in the development of Philippine
Guidelines on Periodic Health Examination (PHEX) held on 8
November 2001 at the Edsa Shangrila. The collaboration hoped
to determine which examination is essential and cost effective
for hypertensive patients in order to form a basis for
recommendation in future public health policies.
Conceptualizing and Launch of the PSH-Therapharma Yolando Q.M.
Sulit Young Investigator’s Award. The aim is to give due
recognition to outstanding scientific research accomplishment
by a resident or fellow in training on hypertension in a
specialty-accredited training institution in the country. The
rewarded prize consisted of a plaque and a substantial cash
award.
In cooperation with Pfizer, the PSH website was constructed in
an effort to bring the society closer to their members through
the facilities of internet.
2002 recognized the continued efforts of PSH in achieving their Mission and Vision.
This society together with Philippine Lipid Society (PLS)
hosted the 3rd congress of the Asian Pacific Society of
Atherosclerosis and Vascular Disease (APSA VD) held on 17-20
February 2002 at the Cebu International Convention Center,
Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City
The society participated in the World Hypertension League
(WHL) Council Meeting on June 22, 2002 at Prague Czech
Republic. Among the agenda was WHL’s initiative to control and
prevent hypertension and obesity.
This year witnessed the launch of the Philippine Lipid and
Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) and this society’s websites in
partnership with Pfizer, Inc.
The PSH newsletter was created that served as the main conduit
of news and information about both PSH and PLAS societies.
This would help inform members about various schedules of
activities, gist of landmark studies as well as important
articles regarding hypertension.
Several surveys were also promoted by the Society:
Survey on the “Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Risk
Factors among School children in Metro Manila” was created
with the joint efforts of this society and Philippine Academy
of Private School Physicians Inc. (PAPSHI). Primary objective
is to determine the prevalence of hypertension among children
aged 12 years and above enrolled in elementary and high
schools in Metro Manila.
The society collaborated with the Department of Health (DOH),
Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Philippine Lipid
Society (PLS), Philippine Hearth Association, Stroke Society
of the Philippines, Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and
other component societies for the 6th National Nutrition
Survey, Philippines: Clinical Phase”. This was a nationwide
survey of randomized barangays using dietary habits,
anthropometric measurement, BP determination, stroke and chest
pain questionnaires, cholesterol and blood sugar
determination.
2003: PSH reached its 10th year and continued to prosper.
Successful 8th joint annual convention of this society themed
“Hand in Hand in Health” transpired in 2003 which gathered
together 24 diverse medical and healthcare organizations to
tackle Disseminated Atherosclerosis.
The society launched and organized the Philippine Hypertension
Specialist Program which is a 48-hour program aimed to equip
doctors with the needed clinical knowledge for effective
management of hypertension and other related disorders. ¬There
were 300 doctors who graduated from this program in 2003.
PSH supported the 5th congress of the Asian Union for
Microcirculation (AUM) through sponsorship of a scientific
symposium held on February 20-23, 2003 at Westin Philippine
Plaza Hotel. The session title was “Hypertension” which was
co-sponsored with Therapharma, Inc.
First certification exam for hypertension specialist was
conducted on 25 October 2003. 22 out of the 33 physicians who
took the exam passed.
PSH announced the society’s membership benefits like access to
the HYPERLINK (the official PSH-PLAS) Newsletter, discounted
rates for the annual conventions, discounts on hypertension
and lipid-lowering drugs in selected malls. The society joined
the 6th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) through its Clinical
and Health component or the National Nutrition and Health
survey I: 2003 (NNHeS I: 2003) which was spearheaded by the
Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Health
(DOH), and 14 medical specialty organizations. This activity
aimed to determine the prevalence of risk factors and diseases
and chronicle the health status of Filipinos from two years
old and above.
2004 showed the society’s evident expansion and advancement under the management of Dr. Esperanza Cabral as new PSH president..
The number of PSH members increased to 1,070.
The successful 9th joint annual convention on February 5-7,
2004 at Edsa Shangri-la Hotel with a theme “Linking up for
Holistic Cardiovascular Control” provided the opportunity for
the exchange of ideas, experiences, and discussions on topics
like the control of atherosclerotic disease through the
control of hypertension and dyslipidemia as well as its other
risk factors.
PSH became an affiliate society of Philippine Medical
Association (PMA) in 2004 and on May 20, 2004, PSH sponsored a
congress symposium as part of the official scientific program
of the 100th PMA Annual Convention. Session title was
“Targeting the Hypertension Problem.”
The society participated in the 3rd Asian Pacific Congress of
Hypertension on April 3-7, 2004 at Raffles City Convention
Center, Singapore.
PSH continued to support research surveys and programs:
In collaboration with UP-PGH Group, the society supported the
“Survey on Family-Oriented Treatment of Hypertension (FORT
HPN)”. The primary objective is to determine the prevalence of
risk factors among hypertensive patients and their house
members and to determine the compliance of patient’s household
to cardiovascular risk screening.
In joint activity with Occupational Health Nurses Association
of the Philippines (OHNAP) and Philippine Nurses Association
(PNA), the society supported the 1st Hypertension Courses For
Nurses transpired on November 19, 2004. This is in pursuant to
the society’s mission of providing training to allied health
professionals in appropriate hypertension care.
The society participated the “Course on Diabetes and Vascular
Diseases” held on October 15-16, 2004 at Century Park
Sheraton. This is in collaboration with Philippine Diabetes
Association (PDA), Council on Complications and Asian Pacific
Congress Atherosclerosis and Vascular Diseases (APSAVD),
Philippine Lipid Society (PLS), and Philippine Association for
the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO).
2005 highlighted the society’s continued commitment in promoting heightened hypertension awareness and knowledge to health professionals and the common public.
PSH launched a Fellowship Program in Hypertension aimed at
enhancing the training fellow’s expertise in evaluating and
managing cardiovascular problems.
The society launched the metabolic clinics (pro-health
clinics) as a strategic step in diagnosis and treatment of
cardiovascular risk factors.
PSH continued to actively participate in activities of various
health-oriented organizations.
As a member of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA)
coalition group, PSH engaged in the “Lakad Puso” event on
February 6, 2005 at Quezon City Memorial Circle.
The society took part in in the World Hypertension Day
Celebration spearheaded by World Hypertension League (WHL) on
May 14, 2005. The objective of this event was to increase
public awareness of hypertension and what can be done for
prevention and control.
PSH also participated in the 2005 Asian Pacific Congress of
Hypertension (APSH) on June 1-4, 2005 at Seoul, Korea. The
society cooperated in the 2005 Annual Convention of the
Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators (PADE) and
Association of Diabetes Nurses Educations of the Philippines
(ADNEP) in June 25, 2005 at Century Park Sheraton Hotel,
Manila. A BP Certification Class was conducted during this
convention.
Being a member of the PHA-DOH Coalition on Healthy Lifestyle
Project, this society participated in the celebration of the
World Heart Day on September 25, 2005 at Rajah Sulayman Park,
Manila.
Dr. Nelson S. Abelardo became president of PSH from 2006 to 2007
PSH constantly participated in activities of other
organizations focused on healthcare.
The society took part in the Declaration of the Kidney Care
Alliance spearheaded by Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN)
on July 1, 2006 at Glorietta, Ayala Center Makati City. The
primary objective was to spearhead a prevention campaign to
combat the rising incidence of chronic kidney disease.
During the August 18-20, 2006 2nd National Healthcare Expo at
Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall Ortigas, the society offered free
blood sugar, cholesterol and BP screening, through the
generosity and support of GX International and Wellness Pro.
On November 4-5, 2006 and November 4-5, 2007, the society
supported the Diabetes Expo-organized by the Philippine
Diabetes Association held at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall,
Ortigas. The society offered free cholesterol and BP screening
to the participants made possible by sponsorship of GX
International and Wellness Pro. The society continued to
support this event by participating again on November 4-5,
2007 Diabetes Expo.
On February 2007, the society accepted the invitation to be
enlisted in the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) Registry of Volunteers on Disaster Risk Management and
Response. The registry served as the national database of
volunteers who shall respond to various disaster operations
and give emergency aid to victims in disaster emergency
situations in the country.
In joint efforts with Glaxo SmithKline, the society supported
the Symposium on Hypertension from February to March 2007 held
at different locations such as Cebu Plaza Hotel, Tagaytay Taal
Vista Lodge and Clark Field Pampanga. The society aimed to
provide front-line health care providers with a
multidisciplinary approach and expertise in the management of
hypertension.
The society continued to participate in the global celebration
of World Hypertension Day which was held every May 14 of each
year.
PSH board advances the society’s action plan program through
strategic planning meeting on July 21-22, 2007. The society’s
program of action in the next two years was put in capsule
from the acronym ADVOCATES, which stands for the following:
Aim to narrow gap between guidelines and
practice
Develop locally attuned guidelines
Vision and Mission will be inculcated in
all
Online updates and communications thru PSH
Website
Create, compile and publish all research
outputs
Asset management and fund-raising for
increasing available funds for projects
Take to heart our role as advocates that
influence behaviour, policy-making and legislation
Encourage the development of hypertension
training programs and PRO-HEALTH clinics
Synergize and forge alliance with all who
share our vision
With Dr. Rafael R. Castillo as new PSH president in 2008, the society pursued their dedication in raising hypertension awareness and in elevating the health practitioner’s approach in management of hypertension.
PSH members expanded to 1,710 on year 2008. 372 of these
members were hypertension specialists.
PSH in collaboration with Philippine Heart Association (PHA)
spearheaded the updating of the Clinical Practice in
Hypertension Guidelines, aimed to facilitate the translation
of research data to actual clinical practice among Filipino
physicians across the various specialties. The first forum was
held on January 12, 2008 at the Club Filipino.
In celebration of the World Hypertension Day (WHD) on May 17,
2008, the society supported the “Marunong and Nagtatanong
Hypertension Campaign” a Hypertension Awareness Program in
collaboration with the Philippine Heart Association, Stroke
Society of the Philippines and Therapharma and Unilab. This
involved a massive tri-media hypertension awareness campaign
consisting of advertisements on radio, television and in
newspapers.
PSH collaborated with Novartis for significant activities
about hypertension:
PSH-Novartis High Blood Infoline was created with a main
objective of reducing the rising prevalence of hypertension in
the country which was launched on May 17, 2008.
PSH-Novartis Hypertension Awareness Campaign Among Students –
Global Online Video Competition Among Students was fabricated
in attempts of broadening the scope of hypertension
awareness.
With the support of other pharmaceutical companies, the
society also conducted a nationwide Blood Pressure Awareness
Campaign. This activity focused on BP measurements in public
places such as malls, shopping centers, markets and churches
etc. which aims to promote knowledge and awareness of
hypertension to the public.
The society showed its continued support by participating
again on the 3rd National Healthcare Expo, on August 31 to
September 2, 2008.
PSH participated in the 51st National Medicine Week
Celebration spearheaded by Philippine Medical Association
(PMA) on September 21-27, 2008. The theme: “Mangagamot,
Mamayan at Pamahalaan, Nagkakaisa sa Kalusugan.” As part of
this celebration, PSHP co-sponsored a free clinic on September
10, 2008 at Watsons Stores in SM Malls in Ortigas and Quezon
City.
The society continued to support research studies and surveys
related to cardiovascular healthcare.
In joint activity with Collins International Trading Corp.,
they participated in the Validation and Accreditation of the
Omron Automated Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring
Devices. The validation and accreditation of Omron’s two
digital BP monitoring devices (Omron SEM-1 and 1A2) was
officially announced on July 10, 2008 at Hyatt Hotel and
Casino Manila. On August 13, 2008, the society board members
agreed to fund One Million Pesos as seed money for its
research grants to further stimulate local researchers on
hypertension and other related diseases.
The society conducted validation studies for the
“Anthropometric, Socio-Economic and Novel marker evaluation
for determination and Reduction in atherosclerosis burden and
risk (ASEAN RISK STUDY). This study was designed to correlate
development of cardiovascular risk factors with
psycho-socioeconomic conditions among 3,000 Filipino subjects
over a 5-year period. This study would also be conducted in
Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The society jointed the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS):
Clinical and Health Component or the NNHes II: 2008 study
intended to update the data on the prevalence of some of the
most common diseases like stroke, angina pectoris and
claudication, as well as the prevalence of risk factors like
smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes.
In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through Proclamation No 1761 declared the month of May each year as the “National Hypertension Awareness Month”. This year also marked Dr. Abdian V. Aquino as new PSH president.
In celebration of the World Hypertension Day (WHD) on May 17,
2009, the society organized these activities:
“Low-Salt Recipe Contest” was organized by PSH in cooperation
with Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Heart Association
(PHA), Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) and Novartis,
Phils. This is to emphasize the link between high salt intake
as the cause of three out of 10 hypertension cases among
adults.
WHD Press Conference on May 12, 2009 held at Bistro Filipino
Restaurant, The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, was organized by
the society in joint efforts with DOH, PHA, PSN, PCP and
Novartis, Phils. This served as a platform to disseminate lay
information on hypertension and how hypertension epidemic can
be averted through advocating the low-salt diet.
The society continued to participate in the activities of
various public and private organizations:
On April 20-21, 2009, PSH supported the PhilHealth Policy
Development Workshop for an Outpatient Benefit Package for
PhilHealth members diagnosed with Hypertension held at the
Legend Villas Hotel, Mandaluyong City. This was in
collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and
PhilHealth. The outcome: a policy aimed to design strategies
for enhanced hypertension care and medicine benefits.
WPSH participated in the scientific program of the 102nd PMA
Annual Convention and 14th MASEAN Conference on May 19-22,
2009, by conducting a symposium entitled “Atherosclerosis
Across Ages”
The society cooperated in the Medical Symposium of the Land
Transportation Office (LTO) on May 23, 2009 by talking about
the topic “Hypertension and Coronary Health Disease” at the
LTO main office in Quezon City.
PSH was invited to conduct a lecture about risk and prevention
of hypertension on the activities “Be well with Cory Quirino”
transpired on May 28-29, 2009 and Department of Health
Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC) on
September 23, 2009.
On August 1, 2009, the society jointed the workshops on
Hypertension in Mulumuki and Xian in China, organized by the
International Society of Hypertension (ISH), APSH and the
Chinese Hypertension League.
PSH donated Php 10,000 for “Ondoy and Pepeng” victims in
September 2009.
During the 2009 Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension (APSH)
Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the society won the bid to host the
2014 APSH meeting..
PSH continued to express their strong commitment in disseminating hypertension information to the Filipino society.
Successful 15th joint annual convention in February 13, 2010
focused on “Hypertension and Lipid Clinics: Basics and
Updates”. This is the first time a post-convention symposium
was held in collaboration with colleagues from the George
Institute for International Health in Sydney, Australia, in
joint efforts to formulate health policies on salt reduction
program in the Western-Pacific Region. The aim of this
activity is to achieve salt consumption reduction through
population approaches based on influencing the food industry
and government policy.
“Healthy Weight Dancexercise Contest” was organized by PSH and
was launched on May 17, 2010 which was co-sponsored with
Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Heart Association
(PHA), Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) and Novartis,
Phils. The objective was to promote public awareness and
interest in regular physical activity to help maintain a
healthy weight and blood pressure thru dancexercise.
The society’s AdHoc Committee for National Hypertension
Awareness Month (NHAM) on May 16, 2010, successfully came up
with activities like lay for a and free clinics, aimed to
attain nationwide awareness and invite participation of
government and non-government agencies.
On May 21, 2010, PSH and Novartis Philippines turned over a
copy of the “Low-Salt Recipe Book” to the Department of Health
(DOH). This book featured winning entries from the 2009
Low-Salt Recipe Contest held during the previous year’s WHD
celebration.
The “BP ng Teacher Ko, Alaga Ko” activity was launched on
September 2010 with the joint efforts of the society and PHA,
DepEd and Bayer Philippines. The activity included BP
screening and screening of target organ complications of
hypertension of private- and public-school educators for
different scholastic levels from different cities of the
Philippines. The aim is to increase the awareness level of
teachers on blood pressure consciousness.
In 2011, Dr. Dante D. Morales became president of PSH.
Slides-On-Line Medinfo Connect (SOLMIC) was launched and
disseminated during the 16th joint annual convention on
February 9-11, 2011. The SOLMIC provided PSH members access to
PSH became a member of the DOH Philippine National Drug
Formulary Committee on March 5, 2011.
The society participated in the Asia Regional Conference on
Mercury-Free Health Care on March 15, 2011. This was organized
by Health Care Without Harm, WHO and the UNDF-GEF Global
Healthcare Waste Project which aimed to develop stronger
networking of health care leaders committed to mercury-free
health care in the region.
On March 19, 2011. PSH collaborated with Philippine Heart
Association (PHA) council on Hypertension in coming out with a
position statement on the mercurial BP phaseout.
Slides-On-Line Medinfo Connect (SOLMIC) was launched and
disseminated during the 16th joint annual convention on
February 9-11, 2011. The SOLMIC provided PSH members access to
the abstracts and lectures of the joint annual convention.
PSH became a member of the DOH Philippine National Drug
Formulary Committee on March 5, 2011.
The society participated in the Asia Regional Conference on
Mercury-Free Health Care on March 15, 2011. This was organized
by Health Care Without Harm, WHO and the UNDF-GEF Global
Healthcare Waste Project which aimed to develop stronger
networking of health care leaders committed to mercury-free
health care in the region.
On March 19, 2011. PSH collaborated with Philippine Heart
Association (PHA) council on Hypertension in coming out with a
position statement on the mercurial BP phaseout.
The society continued to participate in the World Hypertension
Day celebrated every year during the month of May. This year’s
theme was “Know Your Numbers, Target Your Blood Pressure”
which aimed to encourage Filipinos from all age groups to
maintain a healthy blood pressure. In the 2011 WHD celebration
and the NHAM month, PSH showed ongoing support by
participating in the press conference on May 17, 2011 themed
“High Blood ka na Ba? Alamin and BP Bago Magsisi”.
Consequently, the official launch and presentation of
Hypertension Alliance in the Philippines (HAP) occurred. The
objective of HAP was to support the promotion of national
awareness of hypertension and its prevention, diagnosis and
treatment through collaboration, harmonization, networking and
linkages of concerned organizations.
PSH conducted a 2011 Course for the Clinical Practice of
Hypertension Management (CCPHM) on July 2011 in Subic,
Olongapo City The society partake in the WHO Regional Office
for Western Pacific organized Intercountry Consultation on
Improving Access to Essential Medicines, Diagnostics and
Medical Devices for the Management of Non-Communicable Disease
(NCD) held on August 18-20, 2011 at Manila Diamond Hotel,
Manila.
In October 2, 2011, the society launched the Hypertension
Caravan Program at Heroes Hall, San Fernando Municipal Hall,
San Fernando Pampanga. This project is created as part of the
Continuing Medical Education Program of PSH which aimed to
increase hypertension awareness, prevention, control and
management to both medical and non-medical practitioners. This
was planned to be held three times a year in selected areas of
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The society participated in the Regional Congress of the World
Hypertension League (WFL) and the 13th International Symposium
on Hypertension and Related Diseases held in Beijing, China on
November 3-6, 2011. Dr. Lynn Gomez, the society’s secretary,
was among the invited official speakers of this event.
PSH supported the study “Renal Function and Albuminuria in a
Hypertensive and/ or Diabetic Filipino Population: Results of
the National Nutrition and Health Survey II (NNHeS: II) by the
Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, UP-College of
Medicine by granting the proposed budget of Php 50,000.
2012 marked the enduring passion of PSH in the control of hypertension in the Philippines.
PSH members continued to expand to 1,815 members as of January
2012. The 395 of these members are hypertension
specialists.
During the 17th joint annual convention in February 8-10,
2012, PSH launched the Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines
(CPG) on the Detection and Management of Hypertension created
in 2011 (formerly 140/90 Report: MultiSectoral Task Force
Consensus on Hypertension).
The society participated in the 44th Diabetes Workshop and 9th
Diabetes Forum on March 16-17, 2012 and also on the 105th PMA
Annual Convention on May 15-17, 2012.
The second PSH Hypertension Caravan program was with Lay Forum
was conducted on April 27, 2012 at Batangas Provincial
Auditorium, City Hall of Batangas City, Batangas and Mabini
Hall, PonteFino Hotel Batangas City. The third Hypertension
Caravan Program was conducted on August 12, 2012 at Mindanao
Sanitarium and Hospital, Iligan City.
PSH was invited as partner organization in the formation of
Diabetes Nutrition Algorithm during the Scientific Consensus
Round Table Meeting on the Transcultural Nutrition Algorithim
for Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Therapy held on May 2, 2012.
2013 saw greater efforts of the PSH under Dr. Romeo Divinagracia in reaching out to the community about the importance of hypertension awareness:
The Society participated in the global celebration of World
Hypertension Day (WHD). The activities for the year include
the iQuit for a Healthier Life Video Message Contest, which
was done with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Heart
Association (PHA), Philippine Society of Nephrologists,
Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism and
Novartis Health Care Philippines. This aimed to raise
awareness of hypertension to lower its prevalence and reduce
the health risks associated with smoking and irregular
heartbeat.
The 2013 WHD Celebration was held concurrent with the National
Hypertension Awareness Month (NHAM) celebration at the Crowne
Plaza Galleria Hotel on 17 May 2012. Its theme was ‘Healthy
Heartbeat, Healthy Blood Pressure: Kakabakaba kaba? Baka High
Blood Ka?’ This included free consultations, a lay forum and
fitness exercises.
A Hypertension Caravan Program was conducted to allow the
community itself to assume responsibility and accountability
for reducing the burden of hypertension and all its sequelae
(heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure).
Several research studies and surveys were also supported by
the Society:
The study ‘Final Report of Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Program (CRRP): A Pilot Study Evaluation Multiple Risk Factor
Intervention to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease’ a joint
activity of PSH and Iligan Medical Society (IMS), involved
conducting educational activities for both doctors and
patients, identifying patients with a high 10-year
cardiovascular risk and evaluating the effectiveness of
multiple risk factor interventions to control risk factors in
high-risk patients. However, a large dropout limited the study
and in those who complete the program, their Framingham risk
score got even worse.
The PST contributed Php200,000 for the 8th National Nutrition
Survey – Clinical and Health Component or the National
Nutrition and Health Survey III (NNHeS III: 2013).
Data collection was started again for the Update on Life
Course Study in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (LIFECARE)
Study.
The Society also oversaw the publication of several local
studies in prestigious local and international journals,
including the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine,
Philippine Journal of Neurology, the Diabetes and Vascular
Disease Research Journal, the Journal of Clinical
Epidemiology, the Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine
Societies and the Asia Pacific Allergy.
The Society purchased a property to house the PSH and PLAS
offices and conference facilities at the Strata 100 building,
and interior designing was initiated on March 2013.
The PSH participated in several activities by other medical
organizations:
The Society participated in the Training Workshop on ‘Health
in All Policies (HiAP)’ of the DOH on 10–12 April 2013 at the
Ascott Hotel, Makati City, to strengthen the capacity to
implement and promote a whole-systems approach to health and
to equip participants to be policy champions for HiAP.
The Society participated in the scientific program and social
program of the 44th PHA Annual Convention on 29–31 May 2013 at
the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig.
The Society assisted in updating the Philippine National Drug
Formulary with the DOH National Center for Pharmaceutical
Access and Management (NCPAM) on 3 June 2013.
The Society attended the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists – Philippine Chapter (AACE-PC) 5th
consecutive Joint Convention with its mother organization on
1–3 August 2013 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City.
The Society participated in the Consultative Meeting of
Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies (IHPDS) and
National Institute of Health (NIH) at the University of the
Philippines, Manila on 12 November 2013, and presented the
study results and an initial draft of a proposed reimbursement
package for outpatient occupational therapy, physical therapy
and speech pathology services for persons with stroke and
provided a venue for communication and collaboration among key
stakeholders.
The Society started evaluating the Omron Automated
Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring Device models HEM
7120, HEM 7130 and HEM 7322 for accreditation.
The Society continued its ‘BP ng Teacher Ko, Alaga Ko’ survey
of private and public school teachers from preschool to
post-graduate school in the National Capital Region (NCR);
northern, central and southern Luzon; Visayas; and Mindanao.
This survey is done in partnership with the PHA, Department of
Education (DepEd), DOH and LRI-Therapharma, and was aimed to
educate and identify teachers on hypertension, quantify
incidence of hypertension among teachers in the country and
promote the role of the PSH and PHA in the prevention and
treatment of hypertension.
The PSH also donated Php100,000.00 to the GMA Kapuso
Foundation to the help the victims of typhoon Yolanda.
2014 saw further growth of the Society
As mandated in the guidelines of the PSH Hypertension
Specialist Program, members of the PSH for 10 years or more
underwent re-designation or re-certification.
The 2014 WHD had the theme ‘Healthy Heartbeat, Healthy Blood
Pressure,’ and encouraged Filipinos from all age groups to
maintain a healthy heart and healthy blood pressure. The
celebration included free consultations, a lay forum and risk
factor screenings (BP measurement, fasting blood sugar and
cholesterol testing, body mass index (BMI) and weight testing,
ankle-brachial test, ECG test, etc.).
The PSH Hypertension Caravan Program was renamed the PSH
Community-Based Hypertension Prevention and Surveillance
Program. A new thrust is given to the program: to determine
ways to help address the issues on the incidence and
management of hypertension in the Philippines at an optimal
and cost-effective mean, and with active participation of the
individual, community, health care provider, payors and
business section, and the different government agencies.
Collaborations with international societies continued:
In collaboration with the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis
Society (PLAS), the Philippine Heart Association, the
Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Medical
Association and the Department of Health, the PSH hosted the
10th Asia Pacific Congress of Hypertension (APCH) on 12–15
February 2014. This is the official congress of the Asian
Pacific Society of Hypertension, which has become one of the
largest and most reputable organizations on hypertension in
the Asia Pacific region. This included world-renowned speakers
from the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Japan, the USA and
other countries to present latest developments in hypertension
and related disciplines. Over 1,000 delegates from Asia,
Europe, North America, Africa and Oceania attended the
event.
The Society continued to participate in the different
activities of private and public organizations:
Evaluation of the HEM 7130, HEM 7332 and HEM 7120 models of
Omron Automated Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring Device
was concluded and all obtained PSH validation and
accreditation.
The ‘BP ng Teacher Ko, Alaga Ko’ survey was continued, with
the study targeted to conclude by December 2015.
The Society sent official representatives for the ad hoc
committee of the PHA Specialty Board of Adult Cardiology.
The Society attended the Philippine Medical Association (PMA)
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Commission to update PMA
professional growth and the scientific sessions of the 2014
PMA Annual Convention.
The Society participated in the World Health Organization
(WHO)-Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) session on
‘Overall Risk Approach and WHO Package of Essential
Non-Communicable Disease Interventions for Low-Resistance
Settings (WHO-Pen)’ during the 44th PCP Annual Convention at
the SMX Convention Center on 5 May 2014.
Dr. Lynn Gomez became the president of the PSH beginning 2015
The 13th course for the Clinical Practice of Hypertension
Management was held at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center on
22–25 July 2015.
The 13th certifying examination for Hypertension specialists
was also held at the Bonaventure Plaza on 10 October 2015.
The 2015 WHD celebration and 5th NHAM celebration was held on
16 May 2015 at the covered court of Verdant Subdivision, and
in cooperation with the DOH, HAP and the local government of
the City of Las Piñas.
The theme for the celebration was ‘#BantayBP (Know Your Blood
Pressure),’ and featured free consultations, a lay forum and
fitness, as well as risk factor screenings.
Several projects were proposed to achieve more impact on
morbidity and mortality reduction (on cardiovascular risk
factors) and further explore ways to help address the issues
on the incidence and management of hypertension in the
Philippines.
International collaborations and activities continued to
flourish:
The Society participated in the Asian Pacific Congress of
Hypertension (APSH) Council Meeting at the Bali Nusa Dua
Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia on 4–7 June 2015, and
nominated its immediate past president, Dr Romeo Divinagracia
to the APSH Executive Council.
Researches also continued to expand:
The results of the 8th Nutrition and Health Survey III
(NNHeSIII: 2013) would be presented and compared with the
previous years.
The Philippine group conducting the LIFECARE Study was able to
publish some baseline data in both local and international
journals. These highlighted the socio-ecological and health
profile of the different Philippine study sites; stress
profile of the Philippine cohort; taste preference; prevalence
of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome; and
validation of the SF-36 questionnaire in Filipinos.
The new PSH office at Unit 1108H 11th floor Strata 100 was
inaugurated on 18 April 2015.
The Society approved the formation of PSH Working
Groups/Chapters and to eventually, form 3 chapters from 3
designated areas. The 1st PSH Working Group included the
Pangasinan and Ilocos groups.
The Society participated in the following activities:
With the PHA, the Society participated as a member of the
voting panel in the Consensus Meeting for the Update of the
Guidelines on the Management of Dyslipidemias in the
Philippines. The updated guideline was subsequently launched
at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel on 10 February 2016.
The Society was invited to be part of the scientific program
of the PMA’s 2015 Annual Convention on 19–22 May 2015. Dr
Nelson Abelardo was the resource person for the session
regarding Hypertension Guidelines.
The ‘BP ng Teacher Ko, Alaga Ko’ project was extended.
In 2016, the number of hypertension specialists increased from 458 to 478.
A joint Press Conference and PSH-PCP Joint Health Forum was
held on 17 May 2016 at Annabelle’s Restaurant to kick off the
2016 WHD and NHAM celebrations. With the same theme ‘#BantayBP
(Know Your Blood Pressure)’ as last year, the actual
celebration was held at the Dapitan Sports Complex, as was
attended by 533 delegates.
New projects were also proposed to help address the
hypertension dilemma:
A revised proposal on PSH Community-Based Hypertension
Prevention Program titled ‘The Effectiveness of a Barangay
Health Worker–Led Lifestyle Program for Stage 1 Hypertensive
Filipino Patients in a Selected Barangay’ was proposed to
demonstrate the effectiveness of a community-led dietary and
other lifestyle interventions in Stage 1 hypertensive Filipino
patients with the barangay health workers (BWH’s) as first
line-health care givers.
Another research proposal was the ‘Community Health Assessment
Program in the Philippines (CHAPP)’ by Dr. Ricardo Angeles,
which aimed to pilot and compare the results of foreign- and
locally available BP devices to determine any deviation (and
degree, if any) in their readings.
The Society had a joint activity with the FNRI to obtain
preliminary data on salt to determine a local recommendation
regarding salt intake to further emphasize the high
recognition of the importance of reducing salt intake.
Two working groups were formally established able to involve
its members and hypertension specialists in its various
events/activities, especially those events/activities to be
conducted regionally. These are comprised of the Northern
Luzon Working Group and the Southern Luzon Working Group.
International collaborations continued:
The Society was invited to participate in the 2016 APSH
Council Meeting and the 2016 APSH and ISH Meeting at the COEX
Convention Center in Seoul, South Korea on 24–29 September
2016.
The Society attended the ISH Executive Council Meeting on 27
September 2017. Dr Rafael Castillo, past president of the PSH,
was nominated in the ISH Executive Committee and appointed as
Member of the ISH Scientific Council and Chair of the ISH
Committee on Communications.
The Society was also invited by the ISH to their 2017 May
Measurement Month (MMM17) with the WHL. The objective of the
program is to screen the BP’s of over 25 million people or at
least 500,000 individuals aged 18 years and older.
The MMM17 was subsequently launched in the Philippines on 23
February 2017 at the Holiday Inn.
Researches on 8th National Nutrition Survey: 2013 and Its
Health Component and LIFECARE continued, and the validation
and accreditation of the Omron, Phils. Automated Oscillometric
Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices was extended.
External activities were also conducted:
The FNRI the Society to become a member of the Technical
Working Group in their Workshop on the Development and
Nutrition Practice Guidelines (NPGs) for Primary Care Setting
to develop nutrition practice guidelines for primary setting
to assist providers of nutrition care and guide
patients/clients’ decisions about appropriate care for
specific nutrition conditions.
The Society was also invited by the FNRI-Department of Science
and Technology at the 2016 APEC Philippine Workshop on
Translating STI to Policy.
The Society participated as one of the health groups who
officially issued an appeal to President Duterte to stop
anti-health amendments in the Sin Tax Law (House Bill 4144).
This aimed to support the proposal of health groups to
maintain the single tax rate and increase it to P40 per pack,
regardless of price or brand to prevent smokers and
would-be-smokers from shifting to low-priced brands and
prevent them from getting life-threatening illnesses that
these products cause.
In 2017, Dr Alberto Atilano took over as the President of the PSH
The 2017 WHD had the theme ‘#MMM17: Know Your Numbers.’ The
ISH proposed to expand the 2017 WHD to become the MMM17 to
further increase the awareness, treatment and control of
hypertension.
A joint press conference with the DOH and the local government
of Manila was held at the Manila City Hall on 4 May 2017 to
kick off the event, and this was covered by several print,
television and radio networks.
The PSH-PAFP Hypertension Academy was conducted on 13–14 and
27–28 October at the Marco Polo Hotel, Manila Diamond Hotel
and the Park by Radisson to enhance the knowledge of general
practitioners/family physicians on hypertension management;
integrate clinical practice/professional skills, such as
counselling skills with scientific learning; and to partner
with an authority on hypertension management in developing the
scientific content.
The Society was invited to participate in the 2017 APSH
Council Meeting in conjunction of the 2017 APSH and
International Society of Hypertension (ISH) Meeting at the
Suntec Singapore Convention on 6–8 October 2017.
In 2018, more improvements are expected to happen with the
PSH. An online hypertension course and re-certifying and
certifying examination was launched for 2018.
What started as a small band of medical health providers with
a noble cause and dream has evolved into a large force of
physicians, medical health professionals and scientists with a
better reach, keener senses and a louder voice to help the
Filipino people combat hypertension and its potential
consequences.
