It started with a letter-request. The 1st Blessed Youth Multi-Purpose Cooperative initiated talks on a possible medical-dental mission to benefit pupils, parents, and teachers of Sto. Domingo Central School in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. In response, Tan Yan Kee Foundation—with support from Lucio Tan Group companies Fortune Tobacco, Pan Asia Securities, and Philippine National Bank—conducted a one-day medical-dental outreach with practitioners from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC) and the University of the East College of Dentistry.
Pediatric doctors with the team noted the high incidence of upper respiratory tract, ear infections, and malnutrition among the children. Adults were mostly diagnosed with hypertension and cataract. Oral health was also a concern, with dentists noting that simple problems were aggravated because they were left untreated. Residents apparently have little or no access to basic medical and dental care because of poor economic conditions. One resident commented that whatever money they have, they spend on food. A total of 261 children and 430 adults received much-needed medical attention for various complaints; 105 patients were given dental treatment. Everyone also received free medicine and vitamins. The medical-dental team included: (Medicine) Doctors Ma. Martina Alcantara, Mariel Bago, Charo Coloma, Ruel Agni, and SI Mark Yanez; (Opthalmology) Doctors Ali Sadeghi, Carlo Adraneda, Sherwin Soyao, and SI Paolo Villanueva; (Pediatrics) Doctors Nadjah Trinidad, Janice Tuazon, Cherilou Nazareth, Ma. Celina Pobre, and Jose Vicente Borja; (Dental) Doctors Darwin Lim, Joselito Rafael Buenazedacruz, Jerome Villanueva, Marigold Almoradie, Ma. Kriselda Sayoc, Michelle Francisco, and Deborrah Dazo. |