JEDDAH, 30 November 2006 — Filipino doctors, dentists, nurses and other health workers will volunteer their services tomorrow to provide free medical and dental services at the Philippine Consulate General.
“We are inviting the Filipino community to come and take advantage of this opportunity,” said Welfare Officer Jake Samain, who chairs the committee in charge of the OFW Month celebrations.
He said the medical and dental mission organized jointly by the Waraynon and Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah (BBSJ) in coordination with the consulate, is part of the activities for this year’s OFW Month celebrations.
In addition to the usual medical and dental services, a free eye checkup and massage therapy will also be rendered in cooperation with various clinics from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Rommel Catalan, president of Waraynon, said his group welcomed the joint undertaking with the Bicolano group so as to serve more compatriots who are not covered by health insurance.
Benny Boncalos, vice president of Bicol Saro, the medical mission is “our own small way” of serving those who need help and also provide health workers a chance to volunteer their services, as they have been doing the past years.
On top of the lists of recipients are the stranded women at the Filipino Welfare Resource Center of the consulate.
“The stranded OFWs are the foremost consideration of this project. We need to show them that we care and share our blessings in whatever little way we can,” Catalan said.
Participating doctors said they will perform laboratory tests and sugar blood test, citing past missions showing that most patients sought consultation for diseases such as hypertension, asthma and diabetes. The recipients will also be given free medicines such as cough and cold medicaments as well as vitamins, while supply last.
Aside from volunteer doctors and dentists from King Fahd General Hospital, King Faizal Hospital and Shar Medical Clinic will also give free tooth extractions and dental hygiene tips.
Physical therapist Danny Tuvilla and his volunteer group from the Filipino Massage Therapist Association will also conduct free therapeutic and relaxation massage. The well-known manghihilot Thess Alday will also give free soothing massage.
Volunteers from Maghrabi and Ayoon Al-Khaleej Opticals headed by Abdulla Pacion will also conduct free eye checkups and the corresponding eye drops and other eye medicaments will be distributed to patients who need them.
Among the sponsors for the event are Leila Reyes Sukkar of International Management Group Co., volunteer doctors, nurses, optometrists and Tonette Rodriguez of Bicol Express Foods.
