By JOY R. SEVILLA
ALABEL, Sarangani (May 29, 2014) - The provincial government of Sarangani, in partnership with the Arkansas Medical Mission Inc., a mission team based in the United States, is conducting free medical and surgical services that targets to cater to 400 patients from Alabel and Malapatan within two days.
The medical and surgical mission, which runs from May 29 to 30 at the provincial gymnasium, grants free dental check-up and tooth extraction, cyst removal, medical check-up, circumcision, free reading eyeglasses, and lice control.
Seventy-three doctors, nurses and volunteers from the Arkansas Medical Mission Inc. extended their free assistance to Sarangans who are in dire need of medical services.
Andy Sucuban, who heads the mission, said that it is their 13th year of conducting free medical mission all over the Philippines.
"This year, we cater Sarangani Province and General Santos City. Next year, we target to reach Olongapo City and Cavite," Sucuban said.
A total of 535 patients were served during the Arkansas Medical Mission in General Santos City which was set two days earlier than the scheduled mission in Sarangani.
"We had a contact person in General Santos and here in Sarangani that is why we came here for the mission," Sucuban said, adding that they are willing to go around the Philippines to give free medical services to Filipinos.
"We do this because we want to help people. We have been blessed and we want to bless others too," he said.
On the other hand, Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon is grateful with the dedication of volunteer doctors and nurses of Arkansas in extending free medical services to the Sarangans.
The activity is part of the Serbisyong Sarangan Community Outreach Program that ties up with non-government organizations and other offices.
"We welcome organizations that want to partner with us in giving assistance and bringing better services to our people. It is always a privilege for us to partner with those who have same vision with us," Solon said.
During the first three months of 2014, the provincial government of Sarangani, in partnership with Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao, has already spearheaded successive medical missions that benefited thousands of patients not only from Sarangani but also from the neighboring province of South Cotabato.
On February 15 to 23, 2014, the provincial government spearheaded a medical mission in coordination with the local government of General Santos, and the World Surgical Foundation headed by its founder and president Dr. Domingo Alvear from Pennsylvania, USA.
A total of 142 beneficiaries from Sarangani Province and General Santos were served during the activity.
Meanwhile, on February 24, 2014, another medical mission spearheaded by the RD Foundation, in coordination with the province of Sarangani, General Santos, and South Cotabato, was successfully held serving more than 1,000 patients. The activity was supported by the Canadian Medical Mission Society.
On March 13, 2014, another free dental services was sponsored by the province held in Malapatan, Sarangani. The activity, dubbed as “Sa Ngiping Garantisado, sa Pag-aaral ay Ganado,” served 300 high school students of the Lun Padidu National High School. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
