BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet Chapter catered to 130 locals during their annual medical mission at Malcolm Square on Friday, August 16, 2024.
The FPOP conducted a medical mission offering free services such as general consultations, nerve examinations, HIV screenings, uric acid, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure tests as well as free medicines in celebration of its 55th anniversary. It was in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and volunteer organizations such as the Baguio New Horizon Lions Club, the Philippine Medical Women’s Association, the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, the One Loyalty Baguio.
Senior citizen Wilfredo Cada who availed of nerve screening and blood pressure tests said it was such a nice gesture for the FPOP to provide free medical assistance because check-ups in private hospitals cost a lot of money.
“This is a big help for the senior citizens, actually. Because you know, our life situation now is so hard. Especially, the medical assistance is so expensive if you’re going to go to the private doctors,” Cada said.
A frontliner during the medical mission was the FPOP Kabataan sector. The youth volunteers came from different universities across Baguio-Benguet.
“Aside from these activities, ‘yung mga youth volunteers po ay very active when it comes to free education, servers’ provision when it comes to family planning, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS,” FPOP Kabataan sector Xypher said.
Emilyn Cadio, FPOP Chapter Program Manager, said that the activity was just giving back services to the public because of their unending support for the organization for over five decades.
In line with its month-long anniversary celebration, the FPOP also offers discounts on pap smears and free subdermal implants at their clinic and community center.
Free HIV screening along with a limited free test for sexually transmitted infections, is conducted every Sunday of August in Session Road, Baguio City. There are also comprehensive sexuality education and training on community-based screening. [DEG-PIA CAR with Yira Bernardino, PHINMA UPang Intern]
