Free medical mission held for Ilocos veterans, dependents
By Freddie G. Lazaro
Vigan City (27 July) -- The Philippine Veteran's Affairs Office (PVAO) is set to conduct a medical mission for veterans and their dependents from Ilocos Norte on July 31, 2009 at the Ricarte National Park and Shrine in Batac, Ilocos Norte, it was reported here.
Around 500 veterans and their beneficiaries are expected to attend the free medical consultations and distributions of free medicines.
Ma. Juanita Rivera, Regional Chief of the PVAO Field Office in Region 1, said the program is part of this year's 'OPLAN: PAGKALINGA' – an annual Medical Outreach Program launched in Ilocos in 2005 as part of the PVAO's commitment to serve the living veterans and their families.
"Our outreach program will be held simultaneously with the commemoration of the 64th Death Anniversary of Gen. Artemio "Vibora" G. Ricarte in coordination with the Military Shrines Service (MSS), the local government unit (LGU) of Batac and all educational institutions within the town," Rivera said.
"Our OPLAN: Pagkalinga is an initiative of PVAO Field Service Extension Office No. 1 that seeks to make the veterans and their dependents feel the warmth of PVAO's TLC or tender loving care by offering them free medical services. It is made possible by pulling together the resources from health institutions, private firms and local government units that selflessly render free services to patients," she added.
She disclosed that PVAO Administrator, Defense Usec. Ernesto G. Carolina, will be expected to grace the occasion.
According to Rivera, Usec. Carolina had already directed Dr. Pilar Ibarra, Chairperson of the Disability Rating Board and Chief of the PVAO Medical Section, to lead the PVAO Pagkalinga Team from Field Service Extension Office No. 1, San Fernando City, La Union; and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur and Batac City, Ilocos Norte..
The Medical Team will be composed of physicians, nurses and aides from the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and the City Health Office of Batac. Medicines, vitamins and food supplement will be provided by PVAO's Medical Section.
The PVAO also tied up with Abbott International for the conduct of free digital rectal examination (DRE) to the veterans for the monitoring of their prostate health and electrocardiogram screening (ECG) to both male & female patients.
"We will also put-up a separate ID booth to facilitate application for the issuance of the Unified Multi-Purpose (UMID) PVAO identification cards with free of charge for its pensioners," she told. (PIA Ilocos Sur) [top]
