HEALTH FOR ALL. Doctors brief indigent patients on the procedure of services being offered during the March 5-8 “Gamutan Pangkalahatan” program at the provincial hospital in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. (Photo courtesy of Maguindanao Police Community Affairs Development Office)
COTABATO CITY – An estimated 2,000 poor patients from Maguindanao’s 36 towns have so far benefitted from the ongoing massive four-day provincial health office program, being held in Shariff Aguak town.
Dubbed as “Gamutan Pangkalahatan Alay sa Bangsamoro ‘Yes’ to Kalusugan,” the program - which started Tuesday and will end Friday - is being spearheaded by the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) – Maguindanao, headed by Dr. Tahir Sulaik, at the provincial hospital compound in Shariff Aguak.
Sulaik said they are targeting as much as 5,000 patients during the duration of the program.
“Physicians from the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and volunteer doctors from Cotabato City; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; and Tacurong City have joined us in this program,” Sulaik told reporters in an interview Wednesday.
Services offered include free operation for hernia, abdominal mass, breast mass, cyst, goiter, cleft lip and palate, head and neck mass, tumor, fractured bones, ligation, vasectomy, cataract operation, dental services, mass blood glucose determination, eye examination and surgery for pterygium and cancer screening, free pap smear, laboratory services, x-ray and ultrasound, general consultation and screening, and a blood-letting activity.
Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, also led the opening on Tuesday of the new out-patient department building and the newly-built mosque inside the hospital premises.
“Also, some of the patients have received wheelchairs from the governor,” Sulaik said. (PNA)
