CamSur Doctor Provides Life-Saving Heart Surgery to Children
NAGA CITY — In the Bicol region of the Philippines, Dr. Eloisa Claveria-Barrion, a pediatric interventional cardiologist, is making significant strides in providing essential heart surgeries to children with congenital defects, transforming lives and offering new futures.
According to Philippines News Agency, her daughter Desiree was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect, a common heart condition where a hole exists between the heart’s lower chambers. The condition led to frequent respiratory infections and general fatigue. After years of seeking treatment, including trips to Manila that were halted by the pandemic, Valencia reached out on social media and found Dr. Claveria-Barrion at the Cardiac Center of the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City. Desiree received the critical VSD patch closure surgery on March 29, 2023, at no cost, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Claveria-Barrion and the BMC.
Dr. Claveria-Barrion, who heads the BMC’s Cardiac Center established in October 2021, emphasizes the importance of accessible healthcare for children. She noted that many families are deterred by the high costs of treatment, which can sometimes be addressed with a simple 30-minute procedure. In response to these challenges, she initiated a fundraising dialogue in 2022 with the San Diego Medical Association, securing a PHP200,000 grant that allowed her to treat 23 children in March 2023.
The establishment of the BMC Cardiac Center has significantly reduced the need for Bicolanos to travel to Metro Manila for cardiovascular treatment. The center is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by skilled personnel dedicated to leading the region in cardiovascular care. Beyond her clinical duties, Dr. Claveria-Barrion also focuses on training other doctors from rural health units and hospitals to improve cardiovascular care throughout the area.
Dr. Claveria-Barrion’s commitment extends beyond her medical practice. “As doctors, we want to be instruments of God to help kids with heart defects live their full lives,” she stated, highlighting her dedication to her patients and their communities.