More than 2,000 residents from Batangas and Bulacan received in early July medical check-up and treatment, along with free medicines, supplements, and other public services during a recent medical mission by the UNTV News and Rescue and the Members Church of God International (MCGI).

Thankful Bulaqueños

A total of 598 patients were provided with medical consultation, medicines, optical check-up and eyeglasses, dental extraction, legal consultation, massage, and haircut.

Paombong Municipal Health Officer Dr. Julio Garbida praised the effort of UNTV and MCGI, and thanked Bro. Eli Soriano, the Ang Dating Daan Foundation, and the Clinic ni Kuya for coming.

Garbida was impressed with the equipment that the group brought to Paombong, chiefly the mobile clinic that has an ultrasound machine.

“Kakaiba po doon sa mga napupuntahan ko rin na medical mission – bukod po sa ECG kumpleto po ito. Napakalaking bagay po itong binigay na tulong sa atin,” Garbida said.

(This is unique compared to the other medical missions I’ve been – aside from ECG, this is complete. This is a great help to us)

The town’s mayor Maryanne Marcos also thanked UNTV and MCGI for the aid given to her constituents.

Local residents expressed their appreciation for the assistance. Among them is Alvin Del Rosario, resident of Isla Sta. Cruz, who traveled all the way to Paombong to have his free laboratory test.

“Kasi walang ospital sa amin. Pagka uuwi pa ng bayan, hindi po kakasya yung 150 balikan,” Del Rosario expressed.

(We have no hospital in our place. If I go to the town proper, Php150 is not enough for a round-trip fare.)

A mother, Lolita Viraguas, braved the heavy downpour that day so she could have her two-year old checked for fever which has been lingering for two days. Lolita could not pay for a doctor so she took advantage of the medical mission in Paombong.

Paombong in Bulacan is widely known as the nation’s Vinegar Capital since vinegar-making is the most lucrative business in that town. However, based on the 2015 National Statistics Office report, 10.4% of Paombongans are poor, which accounts for the inability of locals to access good healthcare services.

Big Relief for Batangueños

Meanwhile in Batangas, 1,700 patients were spared from costly medical expenses when the free medical mission visited the town of Lemery.

Vice Mayor Monette Rosales-Gamo was delighted to receive the free help given to the Lemerians, and wished that this will not be the last visit by UNTV and MCGI.

The residents of Lemery received general check-up, pediatric care, tooth extraction, ECG services, haircut, and legal consultation.

Cristina Razon, a housewife and mother of two, had less to worry about medicines when she came with her children who were sick for two days. She said her husband’s income as a tricycle driver can barely sustain their needs.

“Minsan nga po walang pong naiiwan sa amin pag po naalis iyon, pag nagkasakit pa wala ho kaming pambiling gamot…salamat po sa medical mission at kami po ay nakakuha po ng gamot…,” Razon said.

(Sometimes, nothing is left to us, and if we fall sick, we can’t even buy medicines… thanks to the medical mission and we are able to get free medicines)

A first-class municipality, Lemery in Batangas sustains its economy through agriculture and fishery. But the local government admits that there are still residents living in remote areas who barely have enough to sustain themselves with food and other basic needs, especially medicines.

Obligation to Do Good

The high cost of medicines and expensive hospitalization are the primary reasons why many poor Filipinos are discouraged to seek immediate medical care. This problem often leads to bigger spending, greater complications of the disease, and sometimes death. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the University of the Philippines in 2009 linked the lack of a strong universal health care system to high health-related mortality rates because locals can barely access proper medical assistance. Places where mortality rates are high were also found to be suffering in poverty and hunger.

The medical missions provided by UNTV and MCGI have made possible basic medical services to reach indigent communities in the country, such as those in Paombong and Lemery, providing accessible health care in the form of basic screenings and tests, medical consultations, minor operations, diagnostic and laboratory services, and provisions for medicines and supplements.

These services are done on a regular basis and come without fees or payment.

Medical practitioners, health care workers, and volunteers from MCGI provide the bulk of manpower for medical missions spearheaded by UNTV, a television network most popular for its tagline “Your Public Service Channel.”

For years, the collaboration of the two organizations has helped local governments save meager public funds by providing tax-free medical service and dole out millions in pesos for purchase of medical equipment and supplies to be used for free during medical drives.

Written by Cecile I. Vizcaya