PHA Usapang Puso sa Puso: AED LAW: POTENT BOOSTER FOR CPR-READY PH

 

What exactly is a restart a heart day?  It is a day that reminds everyone of the invaluable benefit of understanding how to restart a stopped heart, and anyone may acquire basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and potentially save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest. 

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) or sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a global health issue that can occur to anybody when the heart's electrical activity beats rapidly and then stops abruptly. SCA can be caused by a heart attack.

The day's goal is to teach more people what to do if someone collapses and stops breathing. Calling 999, performing CPR, and using a defibrillator, if one is available, are three of the most crucial, immediate things to take.

Usapang Puso sa Puso hosts Dr. Robspierre Reyes and Dr. Francis Lavapie

Organizations from around the world have banded together to promote public awareness about cardiac arrests, life-saving CPR, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to support the campaign, which has been revisited every October 16 for the last ten years. 

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on CPR is the lead agency for the annual observance of World Restart a Heart Day (WRaHD) by using its monthly webinar for Media and Netizens, the Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP), as a powerful platform, holding it on October 18 this year and coinciding with its yearly Training of Trainers (TOT) on Oct. 20-22 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. The TOT will bring together Filipino heart doctors and emergency responders.   

This year's UPP WRaHD Special brought together legal and cardiovascular specialists to examine the status of the AED bills that have been introduced in Congress and the Senate. Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes, PHA Council on CPR head and UPP host, and Dr. Francis Lavapie, previous chair of The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on CPR is the lead agency for the annual observance of World Restart a Heart Day (WRaHD) by using its monthly webinar for Media and Netizens, the Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP), as a powerful platform, holding it on October 18 this year and coinciding with its yearly Training of Trainers (TOT) on Oct. 20-22 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. The TOT will bring together Filipino heart doctors and emergency responders.   

Usapang Puso Sa Puso: L-R Dr. Robspierre Reyes, Dr. Francis Lavapie, Sl Abelardo Malaque, office of Sen. Lapid, Ms. Gynna Gagelonia of PHA and John Paul Nabua of Cong. Herrera's office

This year's UPP WRaHD Special brought together legal and cardiovascular specialists to examine the status of the AED bills that have been introduced in Congress and the Senate. Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes, PHA Council on CPR head and UPP host, and Dr. Francis Lavapie, previous chair of The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on CPR is the lead agency for the annual observance of World Restart a Heart Day (WRaHD) by using its monthly webinar for Media and Netizens, the Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP), as a powerful platform, holding it on October 18 this year and coinciding with its yearly Training of Trainers (TOT) on Oct. 20-22 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. The TOT will bring together Filipino heart doctors and emergency responders.   

The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on CPR is the lead agency for the annual observance of World Restart a Heart Day (WRaHD) by using its monthly webinar for Media and Netizens, the Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP), as a powerful platform, holding it on October 18 this year and coinciding with its yearly Training of Trainers (TOT) on Oct. 20-22 at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City. The TOT will bring together Filipino heart doctors and emergency responders.   

“Sa ibang bansa may AED talaga na naka-ready; gyms should have AEDs, know CPR. Hindi pa masyadong common ang AED, CPR dito, as we can see, na maraming survivors sa ibang bansa. Walang datos ng SCA sa Philippines,” Reyes lamented, while underscoring the importance of having your own local  CPR/AED data. 

Citing the traffic situation of Metro Manila daily, Reyes said that apart from strategic placement, high volume deployment is also key.

 

“Problema sa Manila, traffic. So dapat, sandamakmak na AEDs everywhere, kasi di pa okay ang emergency response system.” 

 

Lavapie followed up this sentiment by illuminating just how pivotal a role AEDs play in the event of a cardiac emergency.

“From the moment of SCA, kung within less than 5 minutes na-CPR and AED, mas-mataas chances of survival; more than 30%. Kapag lagpas nito, lumiliit ang chances of survival, and if more than 10 minutes then less than 5% chances of survival. So early administration of AED is crucial.”

He also stressed that AEDs must be available not just in cities, but rural areas.

 

“Ang SCA, hindi lang nangyayari sa Manila or sa siyudad. So kapag gagawin ng batas, dapat para sa lahat hindi lang sa City.”

 

Sen. Lito Lapid and Cong. Bernadette Herrera who both filed bills on the importance of the placement of AEDs in public spaces and places, were represented by their legal officers Atty. Abelardo Maglanque and Atty. John Paul Nabua.

Lapid filed SB 1324 which specifically mandates the placement of AEDs in in public spaces like government buildings, offices, courts, schools, public parks, and markets), while Herrera filed HB 1393 that endeavors the formation of a nationwide AED program and Emergency Medical System.

 

“Cardiac arrest is a time sensitive emergency kaya, the sooner the response, the better the outcome. Survival and quality of life are priorities here. Kaya dapat accessible talaga. I had trips abroad and AEDs were very visible,” said Maglanque.

 

Senator Lito Lapid and Congressman Cong. Bernadette Herrera, who both filed laws emphasizing the need to place AEDs in public places and areas, were represented by their legal counsel, Atty. Atty. Abelardo Maglanque and Mr. John Paul Nabua.

He also spoke of how collaborative efforts with the private sector that can offer their expertise and free training, the AED legislature has much better prospects in terms of implementation.

 Nabua mentioned that part of Cong. Herrera’s rationale in drafting HB 1393, is “to increase survival rates through AED deployment sa mga pampublikong lugar. But not just that, but with an entire system for emergency response as well.”

“As early as next year we are hoping maka-pasa sa first reading at least yung bill. If not passed within the 19th congress, we would need to refile, then back to square one,” he stated, emphasizing that time is of the essence for the lifesaving bill.

 The availability of AEDs is not common in the Philippines. One of the PHA’s dream is to make AEDs readily available as fire extinguishers in public places and spaces.

AEDs are not widely available in the Philippines. One of the PHA's goals is to make AEDs freely available like fire extinguishers in public places and spaces. 

Participation in World Restart a Heart Day 2023 entails the following:

1. Learn CPR (proper techniques) from the experts

2. Host CPR Training. Organize CPR training sessions in your community, workplace and school and invite certified instructors to teach essential life-saving skills.

3. Practice AED use.  Familiarize yourself with AEDs and how to use them in emergencies.

4. Spread Awareness. Share information about World Restart a Heart Day and the importance of CPR training with your friend’s family and social networks.

5. Support First-Aid Initiatives. Donate to organizations that provide first aid and CPR training to underserved communities or schools.

6. Know Emergency Numbers: Familiarize yourself with local emergency phone number and how to access emergency services.