The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Baguio-Benguet is planning to expand the coverage of its services in providing trainings for basic life support (BLS) including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
PHA Baguio-Benguet Chapter Liaison Officer, Dr. DJ Ojascastro, said in collaboration with their partner stakeholders, they plan to intensify the CPR awareness campaign especially in February in time for the observance of Heart Month.
“We plan to target employees of the hotels para ma-train on basic life support ‘yung mga BLS or Emergency Life Support and CPR. We also want to train hanggang sa mga guards. We want to train them on CPR para po in case there are emergencies, they are ready,” Ojascastro said.
He added they also plan to go to schools to increase the awareness of students on CPR and BLS.
“We hope we can target more people and train more people in the coming years. With the cooperation ng mga societies especially itong collaboration between Philippine College of Physicians and PHA, we hope to train more,” he added.
In 2018, the city passed Ordinance 129 requiring all private and public establishments to provide basic life-support services by employing personnel trained in CPR to administer CPR and automated external defibrillators (AED) in the event of emergencies in their respective businesses.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ordinance was not fully implemented, Ojascastro said.
PHA Baguio-Benguet President, Dr. Josephine Tindungan, said an amendment to the ordinance was passed in the local council and is still under review.
“Maganda kung maipasa nila ‘yung amendment para maituro agad kung sino ‘yung department na mag-oversee para alam namin kung sino talaga ‘yung lalapitan,” Tindungan said.
She said their group also donated AED to Baguio to increase awareness on its importance.
The PHA aims to ensure accessible, affordable, and quality cardiovascular education and care for everyone. – Debbie Gasingan
April 26, 2024
