Helping the poor through medical missions
More than 300 residents of Brgy. Taft North, Mandurriao, Iloilo City benefited from the third medical mission of City Councilor Merci Drilon-Garcia last June 16, 2006. Dubbed "Ikaayong Lawas Mo... Kalipay Ko" the medical mission provided basic health care services to both children and adults such as free consultation and medical check up, free blood sugar tests, cholesterol screening, and free ECG analysis. Both children and adult suffering from colds or fever were instantly given free medicines. Children 12 years and below were also given supply of vitamins and school supply packages while packs of medicines were also turned over to the barangay tanods.
Garcia's first medical mission for this year, held last February 14, 2006, benefited the almost 400 residents of Bo. Obrero, Lapuz. The activity was supported by its Brgy. Captain Butch Panaguiton together with the barangay health workers.
The second medical mission was held at Brgy. Simon Ledesma and Brgy. Ma. Cristina, Jaro which made their barangay captains Brgy. Capt. Jonas Belosillo and Brgy. Captain Guillermo de la Cruz, respectively, beaming with happiness. A total of 198 residents from the two barangays benefited from the medical mission. Moreover, residents diagnosed with tuberculosis availed of ten free slots CXR-PA review.
Garcia, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Social Services & Disaster Relief, has been conducting medical missions with her group, the JCI Ilang Ilang Jaycees even before she was elected city councilor.
Garcia believes that the conduct of medical missions could greatly help the poor as they cannot afford to see the doctor or buy even the most common medicines. She is planning to hold similar activity to more barangays in the city soon.
Note: Councilor Garcia thanks the support of the following in its medical mission at Taft North, Mandurriao: Bureau of Fire Protection nurses who conducted the pre vital screening test, Dr. Julie Baronda, Head Doctor of La Paz Maternity Clinic who sent her contingents, Dr. Phoebe Delleva and Dr. Pia Sudaria, the Iloilo City Government, Mr. Lex Alipat of Pascual Laboratories, Inc. Ms. Candy Gonzales and Ms. Jasmin Banaylo of Servier Phil., Inc., Dr. Julie de la Gente, Dr. Rose Esperancilla, Brgy. Capt. Napoleon Militar, Brgy. Taft North Health Workers and their Brgy Tanods.