The Tan Yan Kee Foundation’s Nebulizer Distribution Program, better known as Project Asthma, continues to reach out to people in need of relief from various respiratory ailments. During the second semester of 2008 TYKF covered La Union and Benguet in the North, and Camiguin and Victorias City, Negros Occidental in the South.
»La Union
La Union owes its name to an 1850 move of the Spanish Colonial Government to merge southern towns of Ilocos Sur, northern towns of Pangasinan, and western towns of Benguet into one. Thus the name, literally describing “the union”. Today, the province no longer includes towns of Pangasinan, Benguet, and Ilocos Sur.
TYKF recently brought Project Asthma here and visited 23 public health facilities during a three-day visit. The group did on-site evaluation of existing facilities and service capabilities of the health units. Thirteen nebulizer units and kits were donated to health providers found to have inadequate equipment to provide relief from symptoms of respiratory ailments. While many of the public health facilities have nebulizers, most of them are too old and overused to still be effective. Respiratory diseases are among the most common complaint of La Union residents.
»Benguet
Benguet is a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. The country’s summer capital, Baguio City, is located in this province.
Home to several tribes collectively referred to as Igorots, the province relies on mining, agriculture, and tourism for primary source of income. The area’s cold, mountain temperature is a contributing factor to the frequency of respiratory ailments. This was confirmed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Esteban Piok, who welcomed the Foundation’s effort which he said is “a big help especially for ill-equipped health facilities”
Fifteen public health facilities received 15 nebulizers and 150 kits. The donation effort was led by Karlu Say, daughter of TYKF Chairman and President Dr. Lucio C. Tan. Her husband Amen Say turned over three units to the Benguet General Hospital in simple rites.
»Camiguin
Camiguin, known for seven volcanoes, the sweetest lanzones fruit, and world-class diving sites, is in reality a small province composed of only five municipalities.
While respiratory ailments are common in the island, it is noteworthy that the local government is proactive in health assistance to its constituents. TYKF representatives visited all three Sentrong Sigla Rural Health Units in the municipalities of Mambajao, Sagay, and Catarman. TYKF’s post-visit report notes that all three are directly manned by their respective Municipal Health Officers, and Sagay has the Mayor as concurrent MHO.
TYKF donated only one nebulizer and kit, because two of the health units are adequately equipped with nebulizers and essential requirements.
»Victorias City
Victorias City is a fifth-class city in the province of Negros Occidental. It is the site of one of the largest and oldest sugar refineries in the country -- the Victorias Milling Corporation.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Luisa Efren said that a high incidence of respiratory ailments is notable in ten barangays in the city. Addressing this condition, TYKF personnel, headed by Trustee Shirley Chua, turned over ten nebulizer sets to City Health Officer Dr. Jerry Pahamtang and the respective barangay chairmen.
Also present during the turnover were Provincial Health Officer Dr. Luisa Efren, Victorias Milling Corporation President Abelardo Bugay, PNB Regional head Dr. Cesar Bala, and Fortune Tobacco Bacolod Branch Manager Allan Hiponia.
RSS Feed