Free Alteplase can be accessed in twenty-six

(26) government hospitals nationwide with proper

 The DOH and JRMMC have also conducted
expertise and equipment for optimal stroke
training program prior to the delivery of the management:
said medicine to all healthcare providers 1. East Avenue Medical Center
involved in the Stroke MAP to make sure that 2. Philippine Heart Center
this will be administered correctly to patients 3. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
based on the standard protocol. 4. National Kidney and Transplant Institute
 How to avail the program?
The following steps are the critical period of
5.
6.
Quirino Memorial Medical Center
Las Piñas General Hospital & Satellite Trauma
Department of Health
the treatment. Alteplase must be administered
7.
Center
Philippine General Hospital
Stroke Medical
within 4 hours of stroke onset:

Signs of possible stroke – F.A.S.T.

8.
9.
Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center
Mariano Marcos Memorial Medical Center
Assistance Program
10. Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
11. Cagayan Valley Medical Center
12. Southern Isabela General Hospital
Seek hospital management 13. Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital
immediately 14. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research & Medical
Center
15. Batangas Medical Center
16. Bicol Regional Training & Teaching Hospital
Assessment/check-up & Diagnostic 17. Bicol Medical Center
Exam (CT-Scan) 18. Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital
19. Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional
Hospital
20. Western Visayas Medical Center
Determines clinical elgibility based 21. Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center
on the result of diagnostic exam 22. Zamboanga City Medical Center
23. Cotabato Regional and Medical Center
24. Northern Mindanao Medical Center
25. Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Regional & Teaching
Administration of Alteplase Hospital
26. Southern Philippines Medical Center

Admission to stroke unit


Stroke or Cerebrovascular Disease is
caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the
brain, usually because a blood vessel bursts or is
blocked by a clot. This cuts off the supply of oxygen
and nutrients, causing damage to the brain tissue.
The most common symptom of a stroke is sudden
weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg,
most often on one side of the body. The effects of a
stroke depend on which part of the brain is injured,
the type of stroke, if it is bleeding or an infarction,
and how severely it is affected. A very severe stroke
can cause sudden death.
In the Philippines, stroke is the second
leading cause of deaths, after diseases of the heart,
among Filipinos. 54, 578 or at a rate of
55.7/100,000 population died due to stroke in 2013
(Philippine Health Statistics). Highest number of
deaths were recorded in Regions 4A (7, 692), 3
(7,095) and NCR (7,051). The presence of risk
factors greatly affects complications like stroke. It is
alarming to know that diabetes and
overweight/obesity have increasing prevalence
according to the National Nutrition Survey in 2013.
Hypertension and current adult smokers have
decreasing trends but awareness and education to
avoid these, together with other risk factors like
unhealthy diet and physical inactivity needs to still
be strengthened.
Currently, the Philippine Health Insurance
Company (PhilHealth) has developed stroke
packages which are as follows.
To suspect stroke, act FAST: F (face) sudden
numbness or weakness of face; A (arm), arm or leg,
on one side of body; sudden trouble in walking,
dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; S (speech),
any slurring of speech, trouble speaking or
understanding; sudden severe headache with no
known cause; T (time) bring patient to emergency
room as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent stroke is to engage in
healthy lifestyle. Do not smoke, drink alcohol
excessively, and avoid high – caloric and fatty foods.
Engage in regular physical activity and eat fruits,
vegetables and low-fat dairy products. If hypertensive
or diabetic, make sure blood pressure and blood sugar
are controlled and maintain an ideal body weight.
● The Department of Health (DOH) in
collaboration with the Stroke Society of
the Philippines (SSP) under the
leadership of Dra. Ma. Cristina San Jose
and Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical
Center (JRMMC) lead by Dr. Jose
Navarro, implements the DOH-Stroke
Medicines Access Program (StrokeMAP)
in February 2016. The Program aims to
make Human Recombinant Tissue Type
Plasminogen Activator or Alteplase be
accessible to all clinically eligible stroke
patients in all participating DOH Hospitals.
● As of August 12, 2016, program have
benefited forty (40) patients in nine (9)
access sites already
 In this program the DOH will sought not only
issue of unavailability of essential
medicines in government hospitals but also
to bring down prices. The DOH procured
1,043 vials projecting a year supply of this
innovative medicines. Alteplase in private
hospitals cost as much as Php 80,000.00
per vial while in public hospitals the drug
costs Php 50,000.00. Pursuant to the
Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008, allowing
DOH to exert its effort through price
negotiation with innovative companies to
allow access of the poor to these expensive
patented medicines.