In 2015, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) launched the CPR-Ready.Ph campaign with a clear vision: to equip every Filipino with lifesaving skills and ensure every public space is prepared for emergencies.
Inspired by neighboring nations' robust emergency response systems, where even school children are trained in CPR and AEDs are readily available, PHA recognized the urgent need for a CPR-ready community.
The campaign's goals are ambitious yet crucial: to bring CPR education into every Filipino home, make public spaces CPR- and AED-ready starting at the community level, and align with global standards of emergency preparedness.
Since its inception, CPR-Ready.Ph has made significant strides, bolstered by partnerships such as CPR on Wheels & Wings (CWW), which partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to bring CPR education to top tourist destinations.
This initiative not only promoted CPR awareness but also embedded emergency preparedness into the fabric of Philippine tourism.
However, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges. Undeterred, PHA adapted by pivoting to hybrid and online training formats, ensuring continuity in CPR education while safeguarding participants and trainers with enhanced safety protocols.
The pandemic also catalyzed the development of the 5 Cs of CPR Guidelines, expanding the traditional 3 Cs (Check, Call, Compress) to include additional safety measures to protect health professionals and responders from COVID-19 transmission.
Despite these challenges, CPR-Ready.Ph has trained over 2 million Filipinos since 2016, illustrating its widespread impact on community resilience. Notably, PHA's collaboration with the Philippine National Police under the CARE Program further strengthened national emergency response capabilities.
As a testament to its commitment, PHA leads the celebration of the inaugural National CPR Day on July 17, 2024, themed "ZaPpINAS 2024: Pamayanang Handa, Pamayanang Ligtas." This nationwide event, supported by various government agencies and PHA chapters, underscores the campaign's national significance and ongoing evolution.
Legislatively, the passage of Republic Act No. 10871, or the Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act, mandates CPR training for K-12 students across the Philippines.
This landmark legislation, inspired by the health scare of basketball icon Avelino "Samboy" Lim, reinforces PHA's advocacy for widespread CPR education as a fundamental life skill.
Looking forward, PHA continues its advocacy for comprehensive AED legislation, complementing existing efforts to enhance cardiac arrest response nationwide.
This year's theme, "ZapPinas '24 Pamayanang Handa, Pamayanang Ligtas," reflects PHA's unwavering dedication to ensuring every Filipino community is prepared and safe.
In conclusion, CPR-Ready.Ph stands as a beacon of proactive health advocacy, transforming emergency response norms across the Philippines.
As we commemorate National CPR Day, let us embrace the mission of readiness and safety, ensuring every Filipino has the knowledge and tools to save lives in times of crisis.
By supporting CPR education and preparedness initiatives, we not only safeguard individual lives but also foster a more resilient and compassionate society. Together, we can build a nation that is truly CPR-ready.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #PHA #CPRReadyPh #DOT