The Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines Health Enhancers and Advocates for the Lord (HEAL) organization have embarked on a health mission day on Feb. 10 that served over 600 residents of Kapangan, Benguet.
The one-day outreach mission held at Paykek Elementary School was a prelude to the observance of the church’s Lenten season and as a way of responding to human need through loving service.
Ninety-six volunteers from Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet in the field of medicine, surgery, dentistry, optometry, herbal medicine, nursing, adolescent health, and other administrative responsibilities worked alongside 35 other volunteers from Kapangan.
The residents received 1,400 different treatments or servi-ces while some were grateful to have received a pair of reading glasses.
Others had the good fortune of ha-ving been measured for full or partial dentures to be given before the month ends.
Certain cases also involved and needed some biopsies that were transported to be done in a Baguio hospital.
The volunteers also brought along with them some pre-loved items from their homes as giveaway items to the residents.
Stuffed toys or health kits were gi-ven to the children to assuage them after the pain of dental extraction or of minor surgery and after pediatric care.
A token consisting of a bar soap and a face towel was also distributed to adults that also made their day.
The organizers of the outreach mission have expressed their sincerest gratitude to their partners who gave support and donations, such as the Philex Mining Corporation; Smile Dental Clinic; ChestCore; Benguet Electric Cooperative; Easter Weaving Room; Easter College; Brent International School Baguio; Pooten Forwarding, Co.; and Benguet Dental Chapter.
The organizers also thanked Saint Andrew’s Church in Paykek and neighboring church congregations for their donations and logistic support.
The barangay and municipal governments and office of the Benguet governor also supported the outreach mission. – EDNCP release
