Pasig medical and dental mission serve 600
Posted: 30 May 2011
What was originally planned to serve only 300 patients turned out to be a service activity that exceeded expectations. On May 29, 2011, Council for Health and Development (CHD) in partnership with Bayan Muna Pinagbuhatan Chapter and Bayan Muna Partylist served more than 600 medical and dental patients in Pasig City.
(Photo: CHD)
“Despite our being at the center of the city, free medical services and medicines are not guaranteed for poor people like us. That is why this medical mission comes as a great relief for us who do not have the money to pay for needed medicines as well as medical and dental specialists,” said Mr. Jessie Dominggo, Bayan Muna Pinagbuhatan Chapter president.
The number of medical and dental professionals contributed significantly to the increase of served patients. Thirty-two (32) medical doctors, four (4) dentists, fifteen (15) nurses, one (1) pharmacist, medical students, and reproductive health practitioners gave free consultations and services. Volunteers came from different hospitals such as Rizal Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, National Kidney Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Metropolitan Medical Center, and organizations like DKT International, Samahan Operasyong Sagip (SOS) and Health Students’ Action (HSA).
Community Health Workers (CHWs) trained by CHD from Pasig City staffed the vital signs area with volunteer nurses. Meanwhile, community volunteers ensured peace and order within the service area. The initiative and resourcefulness of the community members was also commendable for seeing to the needs of the volunteers different sections of the mission.
(Photo: CHD)
People’s representative Cong. Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna Partylist graced the event. Most of the medicines given to the patients came from his “Bayang Malusog, Bayang Masigla” program. Also contributing to the success of the mission was Pasig City Congressman Roman Romulo through his donation of medicines worth more than P20,000.
Because most health services in public hospitals are not free, patients from the medical mission needing further diagnostic procedures were referred to the Rizal Medical Center where Cong. Casiño allotted some of his funds.
(Photo: CHD)
Aside from medical and dental missions, CHD in partnership with different government agencies and private institutions conducts health skills trainings in vulnerable communities as part of its advocacy to build people’s capacities in taking care of their communities’ health.###