PHA, ZamBaSulTa Launch Heart Care in Jolo

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) National and the ZamBaSulTa Chapter have joined forces to make heart care more accessible in Jolo, Sulu. On April 25, 2026, they launched the PHA Sulu Subchapter at the Sulu Provincial Multipurpose Gym, marking the final leg of the ZamBaSulTa expansion. This move extends access to cardiovascular care across Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, aligning with the PHA’s long-term vision of “One Cardiologist for Every City.”

Filling the Care Gap

Specialized cardiac care remains a challenge in the region, with most cardiologists concentrated in Zamboanga City. This disparity leaves island provinces like Sulu with limited direct access to expert care. The PHA’s long-term vision aims to address this imbalance. In the absence of cardiologists, internists will now play a key role in managing and guiding heart-related care in Sulu. These internists, along with general practitioners and other specialists, will form the backbone of cardiovascular care in the province.

New Leadership

The newly appointed sub-chapter officers are a diverse group of health professionals, including internal medicine physicians, general practitioners, an OB-gynecologist, and an anesthesiologist. They are Drs. Nhamier Jikiri, Ahkramien Hassan, Janice de Grace Tulawie, Nelpra Iribani, Kaneez Fatima Amilasan, Armalyn Hajijul-Ladjahiran, Kenerham Abdurahman, Rofaida Aming, Meccar Elino, Fatima Dhiena Julhan, Fatima Yuzra Sampang, Muhammad Matingka, Ameer Eldin Ahmad, Nehama Nemertina Tan, and Reynaldo Pescadera.

These officers will lead cardiovascular initiatives in Sulu, bringing their unique expertise to bear on heart health in the province. For instance, OB-gynecologists like Dr. Tan will contribute valuable insights into how cardiac health intersects with women’s health, while anesthesiologists like Dr. Pescadera will provide critical support during heart surgeries and procedures.

Leading the ceremony were PHA National President Dr. Walid Amil 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 setting of the province. In a meeting prior to this momentous event, he expressed whole support and gratitude to the PHA for this new partnership.

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. This training highlights the importance of community involvement in promoting heart health and providing immediate care in case of emergencies.