JEDDAH, 21 February 2003 — More than 800 members of the Filipino community in Jeddah availed themselves of free meningitis vaccine, tooth extraction, eye examination, and medical consultation during the medical and dental mission held recently at the Philippine Consulate.
The one-day event called Kapatiran sa Pagtaguyod ng Kalusugan was a joint project between the Circulo Ilonggo Saudi Arabia (CISA) and the Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC).
“This yearly medical mission is intended for our fellow OFWs,” said Arlen Sallador, president of CISA.
Providing the medical services were more than 150 volunteers, mostly from the nursing and dental departments of King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Dr. Erfan & Bagedo Hospital, Saudi German Hospital, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, and Al-Mustaqbal Hospital.
Annie Grace Gomez, a first time dental volunteer from King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, said that it was a great for chance for her to offer her services, and “we are here to help.”
Ed Rufino, chairman of OFWCC, pointed out that while the project was a joint effort between OFWCC and CISA, “some cooperatives, under the umbrella of OFWCC, have also extended help, one way or the other.
Contributions, like food, water, snacks, and other services were provided by Tropicana Restaurant represented by Mark Asuncion, Harry Ramsden Restaurant, Delta Water Company, National Biscuits and Confectionery Factory, and Coca Cola Bottling Company — Western Province, OFW Net, Al-Hejaz Cargo Services, and WRJ Forwarders.
Other sponsors like Abbot Nutritional Products, Prizer Company, Les Laboratories Servier, Leo Pharma, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Merck Sharp & Dohme, United Corporation for Pharmaceutical & Medical Services, Nafa Medical Est., Janssen-Cilag, and Al-Amin Medical Instruments Company Limited, donated medicines, vitamins, and various medical equipment and accessories used during the project.
