On Saturday 21st May 2011, Volunteer for the Visayans (VFV) staff, local volunteers and international volunteers from Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Germany travelled to the rural town of Alang-Alang, Leyte to participate in VFV’s 11th Annual Medical Mission.
The purpose of the trip was not only an endeavor to provide free medical services to low income and underserved communities, but to also act as a beacon of light and hope for people who often feel abandoned and forgotten about. By shouldering medical expenses and providing services that typically require payment, VFV and its partners were able to provide mass services focusing in the areas of free medical checkups (combined with the provision of free medicines), dental repair and the deeply cultural and hygiene related procedure of circumcision, which acts as a rite of passage for young Filipino males [referred to as Operation Turi].
The event was supported by diligent efforts of An Waray Party List, the Local Government Unit of Alang-Alang Leyte and a number of local professional doctors from Rural Health Unit Clinics all around Leyte.
- Our friends from An Waray Party list were standing by to distribute free medicines.
For volunteers participating on a Volunteer in Rural Health Clinic project, they were offered the opportunity to witness, learn and get hands on experience in assisting local doctors with procedures whilst at the same time being exposed to the ongoing work that Volunteer for the Visayans works towards all year. Even those who were volunteering outside of a medical related project were able to augment support to the smooth running of the day by assisting local volunteers in admitting patients, recording their medical history and assisting to guide patients to each of the various health stations.
In particular, Volunteer for the Visayans were able to extend support to 368 individuals with the provision of the following services:-
208 free medical checkups from 13 different barangays.
49 checkups for infants aged 0 -3 years old.
21 checkups for preschoolers aged 4 – 6 years old.
47 checkups for children aged 7 – 16 years old.
10 checkups for youth aged 17 – 21 years old
63 checkups for adults aged 22 – 60 years old.
20 checkups for older persons aged over 60 years old.
39 free dental repairs from 14 different barangays
4 dental repairs for preschoolers aged 4 – 6 years old.
14 dental repairs children aged 7 – 16 years old.
4 dental repairs for youth aged 17 – 21 years old.
15 dental repairs for adults aged 22 – 60 years old.
2 dental repairs for older persons aged over 60 years old.
121 free Operation Turi Procedures
The Medical Mission is one of VFV’s Annual Contributions towards Public Health and transpires in the month of May each year without fail. If you’re interested in participating on a Rural Health Clinic Project and/or participating in a Medical Mission, please do not hesitate to contact us. The ground work for 2012’s mission will begin as soon as the start of June 2011, so if you have any questions about participating please feel free to get in touch with any of our friendly staff.
At the same time, should anyone wish to help contribute towards the supplies needed for 2012’s Mission, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Hand in hand, let’s continue to make a difference to the availability of Public Health services in the Philippines.
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Volunteer for the Visayans would like to express its sincerest thanks to An Waray Party List, LGU Alang-Alang Leyte, Dr Remidios Tan, Anonymous benefactors from Canada and the U.S. (who provided medical supplies), Join Us, Dr Sangrano, Dr Balais, Dr Azures, Dr Jessamine Elona, Dr Benitez, Dr Balderian, Dr Tanala.
You can view more photos from 2011’s Annual Medical Mission by finding Volunteer for the Visayans on Facebook.