MAKILALA, North Cotabato, (PNA) –Close to 800 individuals in remote village of Old Bulatukan here have benefited from the medical-dental outreach program of the provincial government of North Cotabato Thursday.
Dubbed as “Serbisyong Totoo” medical-dental services, the activity was also highlighted with the distribution of medicine and vitamins to indigent residents, many of whom have not seen a doctor since birth.
Spearheading the program was the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
Barangay Old Bulatukan chair Arnold Arquino lauded the medical team saying it made his constituent feel the government cares for them.
Most of the beneficiaries were women and children who hardly see a doctor and in need of health services, according to Arquino.
Doctors Joel Sungcad and Alex Cabrera provided the consultations and check-ups while dental services were provided by dentists Editha Caguco and Cita Villagonzallo.
These health providers from IPHO have been actively engaged with outreach programs since it was launched three years ago.
Physician Edgar Tamse of the Makilala Municipal Health Office and some dynamic volunteer nurses of IPHO complemented the medical team.
Accompanying the provincial government’s medical team was a military medical dental unit from the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion.
“I am very grateful to the doctors, nurses from IPHO and provincial government and the military who seemed to be tireless in doing these services for our indigent brothers and sisters,” Arquino said.
Capping the activity before the medical team packed up and left was the distribution of free slippers to children from Barangay Old Bulatukan.
After the Old Bulatukan services, the team proceeded to Barangay Barongis, in Libungan, also in North Cotabato for similar activity where more than 650 individuals were given free medical and dental services.
This time, accompanying the medial team was a separate medical unit of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion based in Aleosan, North Cotabato.