PSPC’s PEDIA CARDIO ON WHEELS and HEART KIDS CAMP IN DAVAO – DAY 1-3
by Dr. Jocelyn T. Mantilla
The month of February is always a busy month for the cardiologists because it is called the “Hearts Month”. However, February 2019 was a more challenging month for the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology (PSPC) as it brought to reality the “PEDIA CARDIO ON WHEELS” (PCoW) project spearheaded by this year’s PSPC President, Dr. Ninfa Villanueva. PCoW was a dream project of Past PSPC President Dr. Eden D. Latosa.
The planning stage was indeed a long one with the Davao group (Chair Dr. Jocelyn Mantilla, Co-chair Dr. Anna de Jesus, Dr. Ninfa Villanueva, Dr. Fay Chua, Dr. Zenny Peli, Dr. Monette Pasumbal and Dr. Sheldon Paragas) as the organizing committee. The collective efforts and cooperation of the all the PSPC members in Mindanao played an integral part in the success of the PCOW project. And as a bonus, the PSPC also planned a one-day treat for the kids from Mindanao who have undergone cardiac surgeries. This event was called the “Heart Kids Camp”.
Day 1
On February 22, 2019, the PCOW project was set in motion at the 6th floor Conference Room of Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH). It started with a half-day activity which started with the welcome remarks and orientation of the course from PSPC President Dr. Ninfa Villanueva followed by short didactic lectures before the workshop. The Speakers were Dr. Fay Chua (on cardiac history and physical examination), Dr. Sheldon Paragas (on chext x-ray), Dr. Monina Pasumbal (on ECG reading) and Dr. J. Mantilla (on echocardiography).
During the actual workshop, the PSPC members acted as moderators and the participants had the chance to listen for heart murmurs, interpret the x-rays and ECGs, and perform the basic views of the 2D- echo. When the participants were asked for feedbacks, it was heartwarming to know that they learned a lot during the lecture and the workshop. Kudos to all the lecturers and the workshop instructors!
Day 2
The PCOW project has just started! February 23 was another busy day as the PSPC had its post graduate course held at the Davao Convention Center. Some of the PSPC officers and members , Dr. Bernee Azcueta (PSPC Vice-President, Dr. Leah Arceo-Plucena, Dr. Marinella Francisco (PSPC Treasurer), and Dr Rey Lapak (PSPC Board Director), flew in from Manila to share their own knowledge and expertise in the field of Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Susan Acosta, a Pediatric Neurologist from Davao City, also gave an informative lecture on syncope. Our speaker for the luncheon symposium was Dr. Randy Urtula ( a Pediatric Gastroenterologist), gave an interesting talk on nutrition of pediatric cardiac patients. It was long and fulfilling day, indeed.
The PSPC members from all over Mindanao who joined the Davao cardiologists were: Dr. Joanna Java and Dr. Melvin Cosep ( from Butuan City and Surigao), Dr. Mary Antoniette Lozada (from Pagadian City and Ozamiz City), Dr. Denise Ruth Ruiz (General Santos City), Dr. Rowena Sanchez and Dr. Josephine de la Cerna (Cagayan de Oro City).
But the activities were not done yet! The PSPC, in partnership with the Philippine Heart Association – Davao Southern Mindanao Chapter (PHA-DSMC), launched its first Heart Kids Camp. The generous members of the PHA-DSMC through their donations (“Sponsor a Child to Malagos”) helped the PSPC make this activity possible. Likewise, there were donations from friends from the DDH Administration and from relatives of private patients who had cardiac surgery.
It was a fun-filled day for all who joined the activity. It was a treat for the kids who bravely underwent their respective cardiac surgeries. It was also a tribute to the brave parents who underwent gruelling times taking care if their children who had cardiac problems. The Malagos Garden Resort was the perfect venue to launch the Heart Kids Camp. There were educational activities, not only for the kids, but for the adults as well. It was just an introduction to another project that will teach the parents on how to take care of their kids who have undergone cardiac surgery.
And so the journey of the members of the PSPC did not end with the 3-day activity in Davao City. Nevertheless, it marked the beginning of the road that never seems to end as the society aims to help the Filipino children with cardiac problems. With the help of our other allies in the PHA, this goal will continue to become a reality. Congratulations to all the members of the PSPC, especially the PSPC members in Mindanao. A grand salute to all!!