The Visayas Primary Healthcare Services joined a medical mission in the far-flung mountain barangay of Cambaye, Municipality of Tayasan, Negros Oriental last May 30.
More than 250 residents of the barangay and neighboring areas, mostly poor farmers and sugar cane workers benefitted from the services which included medical consultations, medicines and reading eyeglasses dispensing, blood sugar testing, and urinalysis.
The mission was sponsored by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Visayas-Mindanao Regional Office for Development (VIMROD) in coordination with the Pederasyon sa Nagkahiusang Gagmayng Mag-uuma, Mangingisda ug Tigpatigayon sa Tayasan, Negros Oriental (Federation of United Small Farmers, Fisherfolks and Vendors).
The IFI-VIMROD which is the social action arm of the Philippine Independent Church has livelihood and development programs in Tayasan which are funded by the German-based Bread for the World. The medical mission was part of the services of the programs.
The residents expressed their deep gratitude for the services because their barangays are very remote from the Tayasan town proper where their municipal health unit is located. Their barangays are accessible by public transportation of motorcycles through rough mountain roads which take about an hour to reach and nearly 100 pesos fare for a round trip. Many expressed that it was the first time that they had seen medical doctors.
The patients were mostly sugar cane workers who have to rely on working in sugar cane plantations to earn a living; getting a daily wage of P 80 for eight hours work.
The team included VPHCS Dr. Erlinda Posadas, Irish Grace Ramirez, Lourdes Geolin and Juliet Abing, Gullas College of Medicine medical interns Jon Francis Co, Kathreen Joyce Maestrado, Marilei Sarda, Regine Reah Rojas and Carlo Ace Armecin, nurses Tardy Guardiario, Pearl Templado, Paul Serad, Pia Santri Orbeta, Katrina Dawn Jumawan, and Tiffany.
The team expressed their appreciation for being able to participate in the mission and rendering their services which are severely lacking in the communities due to their remoteness.
