Series of medical missions to benefit Cebu indigents

CEBU, Philippines – More than 1,400 indigents in Cebu are seen to benefit from the series of medical missions organized by Senator Mar Roxas through his “Ituloy ang Laban Para sa Abot-Kayang Gamot” advocacy.

Nationwide, medical teams designated in various provinces will rove around municipalities and cities to provide medical assistance to Filipinos specially senior citizens and “trisikad” drivers.

The first of 12 medical missions in Cebu was launched yesterday at the Guadalupe Sports Center where 200 indigents, mostly senior citizens were given free medical check-ups and free medical supplies.

The medical mission in Guadalupe lasted until noontime. Afterwhich, the group consisting of doctors and students, as well as barangay health volunteers, transferred to barangay Apas where another 200 pre-listed patients were given the same free services.

The Roxas medical team will visit 10 more barangays and towns until May 7. The 10 other areas that will be covered by the series of medical missions are Argao and Carcar on April 25; barangays Tisa and Mabolo of Cebu City on April 27; Daanbantayan on May 1; barangays Mambaling and San Nicolas, this city on May 2; Toledo City on May 4; and Danao City and Consolacion on May 7.

Christine Escolano, liaison officer for the Mar Roxas Medical Mission, said that the areas in Cebu City covered were selected based on the high population of senior citizens in the place. Selected areas in Cebu province, however, were chosen based on their total population.

Escolano said that free medical check-ups are done by three doctors and other volunteers. They are giving free medicines such as antibiotics, anti-pyretic, analgesics, anti-diabetes, anti-hypertension, anti-motility, and cough medicines.

Patients were pre-listed to maintain order during the conduct of missions.

Marino Fernan, in-charge for the said medical mission in Cebu, said that the senator has alloted P150,000 for this mission.

“Senator Roxas’ advocacy is to help our people gain access to medicines. The Senator would want to help those who can not buy their own medicine because of their poor economic conditions,” Fernan said.

For 70-year-old Prudencia Lauron, truly the mission has been very helpful. Lauron, in her old age, has already been experiencing upper respiratory tract infection and astroarthritis.

Lauron said the ailment might have been brought about by the years from working to earn a living despite her old age. She is a scavenger, roaming around and collecting recyclable trash from garbage cans in the city.

She said she only has the chance to have access to free medicines during medical missions such as this. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)