HEART DOCTORS SCARCE: Only 1 cardiologist for every 44,000 Filipinos

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor 

With fewer than 3,000 cardiologists nationwide, the Philippine Heart Association, Inc. (PHA) said the country faces a critical shortage of heart specialists – roughly one cardiologist for every 44,000 Filipinos.

PHA National President Dr. Walid Amil shared the figure during a media briefing in Iloilo, noting their long-term goal is to ensure no Filipino needs to travel far for cardiac care.

But he acknowledged that achieving this vision remains a major challenge.

“We are still far from that,” Amil said.

“We are now around 112 million, and we have only roughly 2,500 cardiologists.”

“That’s 44,000 Filipinos for every cardiologist—we have so much to do.”

Amil stressed that cardiologists are heavily concentrated in Metro Manila due to better facilities, advanced technology, and market opportunities.

“We’re looking at potential redistribution because currently the Department of Health (DOH) and the government are creating regional heart centers,” he said.

The DOH plans to establish 17 regional heart centers—one in each administrative region.

These facilities will be housed within existing DOH Regional Hospitals and Medical Centers, equipped with essential cardiac care equipment, and staffed with professional heart specialists.

The initiative aims to expand access to specialized, affordable cardiac care outside Metro Manila, ease the load at the Philippine Heart Center, and deliver timely care nationwide.

“Once the facility is there, that would be one way for cardiologists to stay and practice in that region,” Amil added.

He also said economic and infrastructure development in the provinces is key to attracting and retaining heart specialists.

“With economic growth, more facilities will be built, residents will be able to afford services, and cardiologists will be drawn in,” he said.

PHA–Western Visayas President Dr. Ma. Sylvia De Pili reported that the Panay chapter currently has 67 cardiologists—37 adult cardiologists, 7 pediatric cardiologists, 5 cardiovascular surgeons, and 2 cardiovascular anesthesiologists.

“It’s still not enough, considering we don’t have electrophysiologists or structural interventionists at the moment,” she said.

To address the shortage, the PHA is expanding training programs in the region, including adult cardiology fellowships to produce more subspecialists.

For example, the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) has been operating as a regional heart center since around 2018, performing bypass surgeries, valve procedures, and pediatric cardiology services.

However, it was only officially recognized as one of the 26 PHA-accredited Cardiology Training Institutions in May 2025.

“In the next few years, if we don’t train new cardiologists, then we’ll be at a loss,” De Pili warned.

She said internal medicine doctors may now apply to the WVMC Adult Cardiology Fellowship Training Program.

The PHA is also ramping up efforts to send Filipino fellows abroad for training in high-demand areas such as structural interventional cardiology.

“PHA will open more doors for international fellowships for our trainees,” Amil said.

“One opportunity on the horizon is structural interventional cardiology—our fellows can greatly benefit from learning abroad and bringing that expertise back home.”

De Pili also reaffirmed the chapter’s support for the PhilCardio Registry, the country’s first nationwide cardiovascular disease registry launched in July 2024.

One of the registry’s eight research hubs is based at WVMC.

Amil said the registry will serve as a foundation for future initiatives, protocols, and government policies.

He added that understanding local complexities and CVD prevalence must go hand in hand with national data collection.

“PHA will invest in landmark, nationwide studies and research that will not only shape national health policy but also position the Philippines as a thought leader in cardiovascular care,” Amil said.