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Medical missions for senior citizens and persons with disabilities

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More than 700 patients availed of free medical, dental, optometry services and medicines in two medical missions conducted by the Visayas Primary Healthcare Services, Inc. in two barangays in north Cebu this October. Beneficiaries were senior citizens and persons with disabilities who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda

The first mission was held in Calape National High School in Daanbantayan for patients coming from the barangay and neighboring barangay Bagay last October 9. The second mission was held in Dayhagon, Medellin Elementary School last October 29. An earlier mission was held in Bitoon Elementary School in Daanbantayan for patients coming from the barangay and neighboring barangay Paypay last September 25.

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 Daanbantayan and Medellin, Cebu.

Other barangays covered by the project include Canhabagat, Tindog, Mahawak in Medellin, and Agujo, Maya, Talisay, and Tapilon of Daanbantayan, for a total of 12 project areas.

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.

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