By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff
reporter
Laoag City—A
balikbayan group based in Northern
California served thousands of Ilocanos in a one week medical, surgical, dental
and optometric mission in this city.
The Philippine Medical Society of
Northern California (PMSNC) and the Agkakabsat International in cooperation
with the Laoag City government of held the medical mission from January 18-22,
2016.
The mission held medical and dental at
the Laoag City Hall; while the surgical and optometric mission were held at the
Laoag City General Hospital. The mission was open for all Ilocos Norte
residents.
Naida P. Raugh, the Agkakabsat
International founder and chief executive officer said hundreds of boxes of medicines
and medical equipment were delivered to the city for the mission. Prior to the
mission, Ms. Raugh explained that they transported more than 50 balikbayan
boxes containing supplies and medicines.
During the first day of the mission
on January 18, 800 patients showed up. The total patients served reached 10,000
for the mission’s whole duration.
Ms. Raugh added that they sought out
indigents to be their primary patients. They, however, treated anyone who
walked in in the two venues.
She disclosed that at least 200
PMNSC and Agkakabsat doctors, nurses and other personnel joined the mission.
Doctors from Manila and Ilocos Norte as well as doctors from Saudi Arabia also
participated in the mission.
The mission aims to help Filipinos
and Ilocanos to bridge and connect the local government Units with the groups
around the world for the delivery of basic health services to those who need
proper health care treatment, with special focus on the less fortunate who
could not afford hospitalization for medical treatment.
She said the Agkakabsat
International was formed through social media with the one primary intention of
helping Filipinos acquire medical care, and to alleviate poverty and suffering.
Ms. Raugh, who originally came from
Apayao but studied at a Laoag City college for her nursing course. She later taught
at the province’s state university for six years.
For this reason, she said the group
chose Laoag to be their mission destination as a way of thanking the city
government and the provincial hospital who helped and supported her by sending
her abroad for international leadership conferences.
Ms. Raugh also thanked Laoag Mayor
Chevylle V. Fariñas for the LGU’s full cooperation by providing their
counterpart for the mission. These included the transport of the 40-foot
container van, the availability of LCGH, providing security and other personnel
needed for the mission.
Ms. Raugh expressed hopes that they
would also serve her home province of Apayao in their next mission. She added
that they have also received requests from Tarlac, Isabela and Ilocos Sur.
Ms. Fariñas, meanwhile, also expressed
her gratitude to PMSNC and the Agkakabsat International for this opportunity to
help the people of Laoag and Ilocos Norte.
Ms. Fariñas said the city government
thru the LCGH conducted first screening to those who needed surgery.
The mayor also sought the help of
the tri-media for the information dissemination on the big mission.
She divulged that the planning for
the mission lasted for one year. The results, she added, was generally
successful as well as orderly.
The mission also provided pre- and
post-medicine to patients for free.
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