FILIPINO heart experts are batting for the enactment of a law that mandates the government to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) within easy access of the people including those in rural areas to dramatically decrease death from heart ailments notably sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
“SCA or sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a global health threat that can happen to anyone when the heart’s electrical activity beats speedily and abruptly stop. SCA can be precipitated by a heart attack,” the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) said in a statement.
AED is described as a “sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.”
Incidentally, the PHA on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is the lead agency for the yearly observance of World Restart a Heart Day (WRaHD) highlighted by a monthly webinar dubbed Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP) mediamen and netizens.
The PHA described the event as a “powerful platform to educate the general public on what to do if someone collapses and suddenly stops breathing.
UPP is held on October 18, followed by the Training of Trainers (TOT) on Oct. 22 which gathers together 165 heart doctors and emergency responders from across the country.
“This year’s UPP WRaHD Special gathered law and heart experts to discuss the state of the AED Bills that have been filed in Congress and Senate. Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes, chair of the PHA Council on CPR, UPP host and Dr. Francis Lavapie, past chair of the PHA Council on CPR, have been at the front lines of the eight-year-old CPR/AED- ReadyPH Campaign since day one,” the statement read.
“What is restart a heart day? It is a day that reminds anyone the priceless value of knowing how to restart a heart that has stopped beating, and everyone can learn basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and potentially save a life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA),” it added.
The purpose of the day is to educate more people what to do if someone collapses and stops breathing. Three of the most important, immediate steps to take are, calling 999, perform CPR and use a defibrillator, if there is one nearby, the PHA said.
To prop up the campaign which is revisited every October 16 each year for the last 10 years, organizations around the world have bonded together, to raise public awareness about cardiac arrests, life-saving CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED).
“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 (In other countries, AEDs are always ready; gyms should have AEDs and knows how to apply CPR. Survival rate is high. Unlike in the Philippines, AED and CPR are not that common. We don’t even have data on CPR,” 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 a key factor
“Problema sa Manila, traffic. So dapat, sandamakmak na AEDs everywhere, kasi di pa okay ang emergency response system (The problem in Metro Manila is heavy traffic, so it should have lots of AEDs everywhere because the emergency response system is not yet okay,)” Reyes noted.
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, if within less than five minutes na-CPR and AED, chances of survival are higher; more than 30 percent. Beyond that, chances of survival get smaller, and if more than 10 minutes then less than five percent chances of survival. So early administration of AED is crucial,” he said.
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 Rep. 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, lawyers Abelardo Maglanque and 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. I had trips abroad and AEDs were very visible,” said Maglanque.
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 Herrera’s rationale in drafting HB 1393 which is “to increase survival rates through AED deployment sin public places. 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.
Involvement with the 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.