More than 1,500 patients availed of free medical, dental, optometry services and medicines in three medical missions conducted by the Visayas Primary Healthcare Services, Inc. in three barangays in Daanbantayan, Cebu this November and December. Beneficiaries were senior citizens and persons with disabilities who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda.
The first mission was held in Agujo Elementary School on November 13. The second mission was held in TapilonElementary School on November 27. The third mission was held in Maya Elementary School last December 3. Earlier, missions were held in Dayhagon, Medellin Elementary School on October 29, Calape National High School on October 9, and Bitoon Elementary School on September 25. Senior citizens and PWDs coming from the said barangays and neighboring barangays were served.
The missions are funded by the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church – U.S.A. as a part of its project implemented by the Women’s Resource Center of Visayas, Inc. (WRCV), “Inclusive Development for the Vulnerable Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities in the Municipalities of Daanbantayanand Medellin, Cebu.
A total of 12 barangays are served in the project.
Coordination with the local government units, rural health units, senior citizens associations, and school authorities was done to ensure the success of the missions.
Services in the medical missions included medical consultations, blood sugar testing for diabetes screening, visual acuity check-up, dental check up and tooth extraction, urinalysis and giving of reading glasses.
The mission team included medical doctors, dentists, nurses, optometrists, post-graduate interns, medical interns, dental students, community health workers and barangay health workers.
Before the missions, the staff of WRCV and VPHCS ensured the preparation of the missions, conducted consultations with local government units, organizations of the senior citizens and persons with disabilities and disseminated information to the beneficiaries and looked for patients who needed medical care.
All patients were properly given medicines bought with funds from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
In general, the mission was indeed successful and the patients expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the team. For the team members, it was also a meaningful experience for them to have served the senior citizens, persons with disabilities and residents of the community who are continuing to strive hard to live a decent life after the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda.