BORONGAN CITY (PIA) – Residents of Eastern Samar recently received much-needed healthcare assistance through a joint medical-dental-surgical mission organized by the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA) and Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, in collaboration with the provincial government of Eastern Samar.
The four-day mission, which started on February 17 and will run until February 20, brought volunteer medical professionals from the University of the Philippines to provide a wide-range of free healthcare services.
Both children and adults availed themselves of free medical consultations, medications, free medicines, dental services (including tooth extractions, restorations, and cleanings), eye check-ups, and free reading glasses.
Apple Esplago, a resident of the municipality of Taft, Eastern Samar expressed her gratitude after receiving dental care, emphasizing the financial burden these services usually entails.
“Maupay ini nga mga free nga dental [services], kay sugad hit pagpangiho kun makadto ka hit private nga dentista, aada hin P800 to P1,000 it im magagasto. Kun magpapa-pasta ka pa, ada hin P1,500, dako talaga na nga gasto. Takay sugad kunta ha ak nga di man dako it pangita, siringabuton na. Kay kadalasan, dara hit gasto, gintitiis nala it suol hit ngipon, pero dara hini, maupay kay at least, pamasahi nala it im babaydan, mas makakatipid,” Esplago said.
(These free dental services are a great help. Going to a private dentist for even a simple cleaning can cost between P800 and P1,000. A filling can be as much as P1,500, which is a significant expense, especially for those with limited income. Many people endure tooth pain simply because they can’t afford treatment. This program allows us to get the care we need, and we only have to worry about transportation costs.)
Beyond basic care, the mission also addressed more complex medical needs, including procedures for a variety of conditions, such as fistulas, hemorrhoids, gallbladder issues, breast concerns, colon and anal problems, hernias, soft tissue masses, and thyroidectomies.
Obstetric and gynecologic surgeries were also conducted for conditions such as ovarian cysts, fibroid tumors, and vaginal prolapse.
Additionally, the mission provided care for non-complicated orthopedic cases, cleft lip, cataract operations, and other minor surgeries.
Dr. Jessica Sabalbarino, chief of hospital at ESPH, emphasized the mission’s profound significant impact on the community.
“This medical-surgical-dental-ophthalmologic mission is a huge benefit for Estehanons. It is extremely difficult to refer patients to the Philippine General Hospital, so having the UP surgeons here in Eastern Samar is a great blessing,” Sabalberino said.
She further noted that surgeries are ongoing, with many thyroid cases, gallstone removals, and myoma (fibroid tumor) operations being performed.
This is the first medical-dental-surgical mission UPMASA has conducted in the province. Due to the overwhelming number of registrants, ESPH is in talks with the UPMASA and Pahinungod team for a possible return mission, ensuring that those who were not accommodated this time can also receive free medical and surgical services. (SEJ/PIA Eastern Samar)
