The Visayas Primary Healthcare Services conducted a medical mission in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental last March 24, 2018. More than 300 patients from Barangay Planas and other neighboring barangays availed of medical and dental services.
The mission was organized by the theKahugpungansamga Mag-uumasaPlanas, a local people’s organization.
The VPHCS first came to meet the people’s organization during the February 2012 earthquake that struck their mountain barangay when it sent a team of volunteers to conduct a medical mission and psychosocial support services at that time. Since then, the VPHCS has been going there at least once every year to conduct medical services.
Dr. Erlinda Posadas led the team of medical volunteers from the Cebu Institute of Medicine. They included Dr. Giancarlo B. Bascon, Frenzy Antonette S. Tadle, Celina Christabel C. Arriesgado, Alyssa Jane N. Rabaya, Swengie Marie L. Suico, John Michael P. Reyes, CailAleksei V. Lingatong, and Lance R. Tarongoy. Dentists included Dr. Jaysil T. Valiente, Dr Jessamin R. Formentera, Charolotte P. Mateo, and Jayson R. Formentera.
The VPHCS staff included Irish Grace Ramirez, R.N., Lourdes M. Geolin, Lucila H. Carreon, Juliet Abing, and AngelieMarangga. Trained community health workers of the VPHCS also rendered their services during the registration of the patients.
A health team from the Negros Island Health Program (NIHIP) also offered their services.
Other services included blood sugar testing, urinalysis and dispensing of reading glasses. Medicines were given to all patients.
A team of volunteers from the Visayas Community Medical Center conducted HIV AIDS voluntary counselling and testing under its project, “Increasing Access to Resilient VCCT (Voluntary and Confidential Counseling and Testing) Services by HIV Risk Groups in the Visayas, Philippines.”
