Last February 12 to 16, more than a thousand Bataeños were provided free audiological, dental, medical, surgical, and rehabilitation services by more than 80 professionals and volunteers during this year’s Bataan Medical Mission, a collaboration between the Canadian Medical Mission Society (CMMS) and the Provincial Government of Bataan through the led by its Medical Chief Dr. Hector Santos.
The CMMS is a group of well-established Filipino-Canadian and multi-national medical professionals, with several years of doing outreach missions in the Philippines.
Along with its President, Dr. Aimee Mabini and Vice President/ Mission Coordinator Ms. Evelyn Mayuga, the group is passionate in offering their expertise to those in need at no expense.
A pre-screening mission prior to the main medical mission activities was held last January 16-18 at the Bataan People’s Center to assess and schedule possible beneficiaries who will be referred to receive the offered services, with the help of the local government units of Bataan, Bataan Peninsula State University, and Lions Clubs of Bataan Peninsula, Balanga Host, Hermosa Centennial, and Bagac Friendship Centennial.
The audiological services during the main medical mission that included hearing screenings, hearing diagnostics, earwax management, and provision of hearing aids held at the MDH was co-sponsored by the CMMS, Una Bella Hearing Center, and the Rotary Club of Mariveles.
For their part, the dentists provided dental check-ups, non-surgical tooth extractions, and dental restorations to address oral health issues of all ages, while the medical/surgical team conducted general medical consultations, and minor (removal of mass, circumcision, excision and drainage) and major (thyroidectomy, cholecystectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, and others) surgical procedures.
The rehabilitation specialists from the UP Alumni TheraFree group, led by Dean Cynthia Isaac provided special lectures on rehabilitation management for the SPED teachers of Mariveles, assessment of children with special needs, and counseling for parents and guardians of individuals with mobility and rehabilitation needs.
The said mission also included dispensing of reading glasses, and a blood-letting activity held at the Bataan Human Settlement Office – Conference Room, facilitated by the Philippine Red Cross – Bataan Chapter.
To conclude and celebrate the fruitful medical mission activities, a Governor’s Night was held at The Oriental Bataan in Mariveles last February 16, attended by all the partners, volunteers, and organizers of said mission.
In his speech, Governor Joet Garcia underscored the Provincial Government’s commitment to continuously work towards providing better healthcare services for Bataeños, close, if not the same, as what other countries offer.
“No matter what our circumstances are, [from] a land of plenty, from a land of limited resources, we are bound by the passion to serve the people,” Dr. Hector Santos said as he thanked everyone who made the medical mission possible and successful.
The much needed support and additional manpower that contributed to the success of the medical mission were provided by the following:
Mariveles LGU, the host municipality, under Mayor AJ Concepcion,
Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan
Camaya Coast
GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co. (GMEC)
GNPower Dinginin Ltd. (GNPD)
Philippine Dental Association – Bataan Dental Chapter
Bataan Peninsula State University
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
Softnet Information Technology Center
Lions Club of Mariveles
Rotary Club of Mariveles
Romalaine Seafood Restaurant
Triden Bakeshop and Coffee Shop
The post Bataan Medical Mission 2024 appeared first on 1Bataan.
