Thousands of individuals in Negros Occidental struggle with the rising costs of healthcare as hypertension and stroke cases surge. With bad cholesterol threatening more lives, experts push for stronger government action and community-driven prevention programs.
The Department of Health (DOH) in Negros Occidental reported a rise in hypertension cases among adults, climbing from 4,991 cases in 2021 to 36,574 in 2023.
These numbers represent real people—families whose lives changed drastically because of preventable health conditions.
The experience of 74-year-old Ireneo Torreno from Tabugon village in Kabankalan City highlights the struggles many families face.
Just weeks before Christmas 2024, Ireneo suffered a debilitating stroke because of hypertension. His daughter, Cristine, recalled finding him after a long day working on their farm.
Despite the availability of free consultations at the public hospital on weekends, her family never had enough money for regular check-ups or necessary laboratory tests.
“The cost of medications and follow-up care became an insurmountable obstacle,” she said.
Like many others in Negros Occidental, the Torreno family prioritizes daily survival over preventive healthcare, often seeking medical help only when it’s too late.
Dangers of bad cholesterol
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that high LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol, significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
DOH Negros Occidental head Adrian Ramos explained that high bad cholesterol levels cause plaque buildup in the arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.
“Many residents remain unaware of their cholesterol levels despite efforts to promote healthier lifestyles and public health education. By the time they seek medical help, their condition has often reached a critical stage,” Ramos said.
He also pointed out the challenge of low health literacy. “In 2021, only 35% of Filipinos had adequate health literacy. We aim to raise this figure to 69% for Filipinos aged 18 and above by 2028,” he said.
Community-based approach
Negrosanon healthcare professional Melvin J. Sanicas stressed the need for culturally relevant health campaigns that address specific needs.
He said that health programs should focus on practical, everyday steps such as promoting healthier eating habits, encouraging physical activity, and making cholesterol screenings more accessible.
Sanicas urged local government units (LGUs) to work with the DOH and other health organizations to develop innovative solutions, including subsidizing healthier food options and negotiating lower medication prices.
“These steps will improve access to cholesterol-lowering treatments and ease the financial burden on families,” he said.
Budget constraints
LGUs recognize the urgency of the cholesterol crisis but struggle with limited budgets. Ramos admitted that public health funds often get divided among various priorities, leaving cholesterol management programs underfunded.
“Local Health Boards (LHBs) have included cholesterol-related programs in their agenda, but budget constraints limit their impact,” Ramos said.
He emphasized the need for more targeted investments and sustained funding to address the root causes of high cholesterol and related diseases.
Preventive healthcare
Provincial Health Office In-Charge Dr. Girlie Pinongan reaffirmed the province’s commitment to health programs such as regular assessments, advocacy campaigns, and monthly health celebrations in partnership with the DOH.
She emphasized that they utilize the Philippine Package of Essential Non-Communicable Diseases Interventions (PhilPEN), a program designed to screen adults for risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and hypertension.
Pinongan noted that most health centers in the province can monitor residents with underlying conditions. However, she cited the persistent issue of low health-seeking behavior.
“Many people refuse to visit health centers or hospitals for check-ups until they are already in the curative stage,” she said.
She also acknowledged that health coordinators struggle to reach remote areas, making check-up access difficult. Still, she encouraged residents in upland communities to visit public doctors for regular health monitoring.
“Some people think they don’t need check-ups because they feel fine. But regular check-ups matter because they might already have hypertension or diabetes without knowing it,” she stressed.
Free Screenings
To remove financial barriers to healthcare, Pinongan clarified that the Provincial Health Office (PHO) has partnered with all LGUs to offer free screenings. This initiative addresses the concerns of residents who avoid medical tests due to their high costs.
“The saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ holds true. People must take action now rather than wait until they need expensive and difficult treatment,” she said.
She also revealed that in 2023, they assessed 317,702 individuals in the province aged 20 and above and found that 16% had hypertension and diabetes. She warned that cases continue to rise, and more young people are developing these conditions.
Pinongan said that the public should take charge of their health, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet.
She stressed that “eating nutritious food is vital for overall well-being” and urged people to “avoid sugary products and other harmful habits that contribute to disease.”
Without long-term investments in prevention, education, and accessible care, more people will suffer the consequences of untreated high cholesterol—trapped in a cycle of illness, financial hardship, and loss.
(This article is part of the Unblock Your Heart Health Reporting initiative, supported by the Philippine Press Institute and Novartis, to improve health literacy on cardiovascular diseases. Know your numbers, understand your risks, and consult your doctor—so no Filipino heart is lost too soon. Take control of your heart health today. Visit unblockedmovement.ph for more information.)
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.