On Saturday the 19th May 2012, Volunteer for the Visayans staff and volunteers embarked on a 6:30am jeepney ride to Dagami, Leyte in order to initiate VFV’s 12th Annual Medical Mission in cooperation with An Waray Party List and the Local Government Unit and Rural Health Unit of Dagami, Leyte.
Rural Health Clinic Volunteers help assist local doctors and nurses.
Each year, Volunteer for the Visayans commits to a day long event which provides free medical services to the underserved populations of low-income communities in rural towns surrounding Tacloban City. In years past, VFV has supported the towns of Alangalang, Babatngon, Tolosa, Dulag, Ormoc City and Tanauan, Leyte with great success and this year it was time to provide support to the people of Dagami.
The event provided free dental check-ups, free health consultations and free minor surgery for young boys as well as the provision of medication. This service is not only important because it allows individuals to get healthcare for free, but also symbolises to communities that organisations such as Volunteer for the Visayans are still committed to assisting the underprivileged. In total more than six hundred free procedures were provided thanks to the efforts of Municipal Doctors and nurses from across Leyte as well as both international and local volunteers. With six hundred people served, Volunteer for the Visayans takes pride in setting a new record with regards to patient numbers and humbly thanks the people of Dagami for the patience and understanding throughout the whole of the day.
For our international volunteers, they gained the opportunity to participate in a number of activities such as assisting with admissions, sterilising surgical equipment, assisting with medical procedures, distributing medicines, assisting with consultations and of course keeping some of the many child patients amused and entertained as they waited.
Volunteer for the Visayans wishes to express its sincerest thanks to the Mayor of Dagami Hon. Esmeralda Ortega and to one of its long standing and supportive Municipal Doctors, Dr. Nemia Sangrano. We’d also like to extend additional thanks to all of the Municipal Doctors who supported the event, the nurses, local volunteers and of course An-Waray for shouldering a number of the medicines.
By Christopher Franks