This year, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur marks the 64th founding anniversary of the province with a month-long celebration of various activities to make the government closer to the people.
The celebration is being carried out not only with sports and cultural activities but also with undertakings addressing the crucial concern of any individual - health.
The Provincial Health Office in partnership with the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) and Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) spearheaded a four-day free medical mission for the constituents of the province
Citizens enjoyed various services such as eye and dental check-ups, medical consultations, and blood donation, while medicines were provided for free to needy patients from July 10–13, 2023.
Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Lanao del Sur Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang said they pushed this initiative to introduce the primary healthcare services available in rural health units (RHUs) and hospitals.
He stated that although these are offered daily, they still conducted this so that they could bring their services closer to the community, considering that not all residents could go and seek medical attention from health institutions.
Minalang was happy that a lot of people flocked to their week-long activity, especially since they have not only focused on residents of the province here but also accommodated those from other places.
"Habang marami pa tayong supplies ng gamot ay tuloy-tuloy ang pagbibigay natin. Everybody is welcome dito (While we still have a lot of supplies, we will continue. Everybody is welcome here)," he said.
Free medical services for all
People flocked to the Provincial Capitol Complex to avail of the free services offered in the medical mission. They were very happy and grateful as they availed themselves of free services including medical consultations, optical check-ups, dental services, operation circumcision, bloodletting, and free medicines, among others.
"Napakaganda nito [medical outreach program] kasi para sa mga walang kakayahang bumili ng gamot, nakakakuha ng libre. Napakalaking tulong ito kasi maraming hindi nakakabili ng gamot kasi mahal ngayon tapos 'yung medical consultations libreng nakukuha [dito]. 'Yung iba hindi makapunta ng hospital kasi mahal, e dito libre. Malaking tulong talaga ito," said Naimah P. Abas from Barangay Sagonsongan in Marawi City.
(This medical outreach program is very good because those who cannot afford medicine get it for free. This is a great help because many people cannot buy medicine as it is expensive now, and medical consultations are available for free here. The others can't go to the hospital because it's expensive; here it's free. It helps a lot)
Janeda S. Malatus from Barangay Poblacion also in Marawi, was also glad as she was able to avail of the optical check-up service that was included in the medical mission.
"Nag-avail ako ng optical [check-up] pagkatapos ay 'yung sa medical consultations. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. kasi ito [medical mission] ay pinakamalaki at maganda. Natulungan niya yung mga mamamayan dito sa Marawi. May galing din po mula sa ibang lungsod," she said.
(I availed of an optical check-up and then the medical consultations. I am thankful to Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. because this medical mission is the biggest and most good. He has helped the people here in Marawi. There are people from other cities as well)
Citizens who availed of free medical services extended their gratitude to the Provincial Government for conducting this activity and helping those in need of basic medical services.
