Three doctors cited for outstanding community service
MANILA, Philippines - Three doctors who have decided to stay in the country and render community service in far-flung areas were recently named outstanding doctors by the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity of the UP College of Medicine and the Rotary Club of Paco, Manila. Doctors Afdal B. Kunting, Mennie Cabacang, and Vietrez Panganiban David-Abella were recognized in fitting ceremonies at the Century Park Hotel Ballroom in Malate, Manila.
“Diamonds in the Rough: The National Search for Outstanding Young Doctors in the Community Setting” is part of Phi Kappa Mu’s 75th anniversary celebration and was co-presented by the Rotary Club of Paco, which saw in the project’s winners shining examples of people rendering exemplary “Service Above Self.” It aimed to recognize young doctors serving depressed and underserved communities in the country.
“It takes a special kind of dedication to one’s calling as a doctor to give up the promise of personal comfort and profit in the spirit of true service. These are the people who most deserve recognition in the medical field,” said Alvin Anastacio, the fraternity’s standard bearer and DITR project chair.The judges for DITR included former DOH Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Ramon L. Arcadio, DOH Health Human Resource and Development Bureau director Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, Philippine Medical Association vice president Dr. Oscar Tinio, former Mayor and Galing Pook executive director Dr. Eddie Dorotan, and DSWD Undersecretary Alicia Bala.
Luzon awardee Vietrez Panganiban David-Abella, MD has served Virac, Catanduanes for 11 years. A prolific health advocate, she helped establish the Catanduanes Breast Cancer Support Group and is co-founder of the Virac Ladies Circle, a women’s empowerment and literacy advocacy group. A graduate of the Philippine Science High School Diliman and the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, the Metro Manila resident settled in rural Virac, among a rare breed of community-oriented doctors who chose to practice where there is greatest need, even when there is high demand for them elsewhere.
From the Visayas region is Mennie P. Cabacang, MD, the municipal health officer of Maslog, Eastern Samar, and the only doctor practicing in the area. It was through her efforts that Maslog, despite being the poorest municipality in the province of Eastern Samar and the farthest from its capital of Borongan City, boasts some of the best health statistics in the region. A board-certified midwife and nurse as well, Dr. Cabacang has a unique and holistic paradigm to health care delivery and has worked endlessly to improve the quality of health care delivery in her rural health stations. She earned for the Maslog RHU the distinction of becoming the first RHU to offer PhilHealth-accredited 3-in-1 package benefits out-patient, TB DOTS, and maternity care, the first ever in the province.
Hailing from Zamboanga City is Afdal B. Kunting, MD, Sangali District health officer. A graduate and current faculty member of Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine, he lobbied for the inclusion of Sangali in the Community Health Information Tracking Systems of UP Manila Health Informatics Department and trained BHWs and volunteers for the community rehabilitation program of the City Health Office.
Each doctor was awarded P100,000 worth of prizes, while another P100,000 worth went to their community for sustainable projects.
