Medical specialist from Manila to visit Antique
SAN JOSE, Antique -- A team of Medical Specialist from different prestigious hospitals in Manila will be coming over to Antique on June 5-6, 2008 to conduct a medical mission especially for indigent patients of the towns of Hamtic, San Jose and nearby municipalities.
The medical mission was borne out of the group's enthusiasm to help indigent patients of the said towns when they last came during the Holy Week to visit Mayor Julius Pacificador of Hamtic and a side-trip to Pandan to see for themselves the cleanest and greenest body of water which is the "Bugang River."
The team coordinator Dr. Marivie R. Leyritana, an Antiqueña herself, knowing fully well the medical needs of indigent patients met with other fellow specialist in Manila upon their return and came up with this medical mission.
Sponsored by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Antique Chapter, headed by Dr. Melvin dela Serna, Antique Medical Society, ADSHAI of the Diocese of Antique, Provincial Government, LGU Hamtic and the PPDO Gender and Development Sector.
The medical mission will conduct a "Lay Forum" on June 5 at the Tuburan sa Kabuhi Center for government employees, professionals, barangay health workers and other women's group on the following topics: 1) Breast Cancer (Oncology), 2) Colon Cancer (Gastroenterology) and 3) Coronary Artery Disease (cardiology).
Noting that cancer is the number four cause of death among Antiqueños, it is important that the people are aware of the healthy measures they should adopt to avoid the killer disease.
A scientific meeting with local doctors in the evening will follow. The topic is Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Highlights of the medical mission is the endoscopy procedure at the Angel Salazar Jr. Memorial Hospital on June 6 to be availed by about 40-50 indigent patients. Two Gastroenterologists from St. Luke's Hospital and Metropolitan Hospital will perform the procedure . While on-going too in the town of Hamtic is the free medical clinic. About 80-100 indigent patients will benefit from the free consultation/examination, ECG, Random Blood Sugar and cholesterol determination including free medicines. Two cardiologist from Philippine heart Center/Chinese General Hospital, 2 Oncologis23 from St. Lukes Hospital/Chinese General Hospital and together with the local doctors will join hands seeing the patients. But all these will not be possible without the help of the pharmaceutical companies. These include: ALTANA, Pharma, Servier-Phils, Sanofi-Phils., Patriot, Bayer-Phils., Pfizer-Phils. And Qualigen.
This early preparations are underway for the screening of possible patients so that only deserving and indigent patients could avail of the free clinic.
The medical mission scores high in PGMA's agenda of "Alagaan ang Kalusugan." People should be health conscious at all times because "health is wealth." (MLGadian/PIA)