MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The successful conduct of a medical mission by the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Main Campus here Thursday, September 8, has made many constituents of the institution and the city, in general, happy and grateful.

Through the university’s College of Health Sciences and Department of Nursing in partnership with the City Health Office (CHO), Lanao del Sur Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), and Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC), more or less 300 citizens benefited from different free medical services which included the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, Hb1AC and random blood sugar testing, medical consultation for kids and adults, and blood donation drive, among others.

College of Health Sciences Student Jimberly Malhin who donated blood during the activity stressed how important the program was, especially that not all people of the university and the city can afford to go to clinics and hospitals due to busy schedules.

“Mostly sa residents dito cannot wait longer sa pagpila sa hospitals. Since nag-initiate ang campus na iconduct itong medical mission [Most of the residents here cannot wait for long queues in hospitals. Since the campus initiated to conduct this medical mission], it opened doors for those residents and other people in this campus to avail of this medical mission,” she said. 

Malhin underlined that the activity was also advantageous to her as she was given the chance to regenerate her blood by donating it while being helpful to her fellowmen.

She further enjoined others who are capable of donating blood to do the same act.

“Gusto kong magdonate para maregenerate ang blood and healthy new blood siya… Gusto ko rin ishare ang blood ko for those who are in need, especially ang blood ko is universal, type O+ [I want to donate so that my blood will be regenerated and it will become a new healthy blood… I also want to share my blood for those who are in need, especially my blood type is universal, O+]. If you really have the heart to donate or care for other people, why not share your blood with them since it may be a way to save their life,” said Malhin.

Meanwhile, Asliha Said, a faculty member of MSU-Binidayan campus, shared that she happened to run an errand in the city when she learned of the medical mission happening on the campus.

She stated that she grabbed the opportunity of availing medical services, particularly consult an obstetrician-gynecologist present as that was the only time she had to address her medical concern.

As such, Said expressed her gratitude to the university as she looked forward to more beneficiaries of the program. 

“Maganda ang ganito kasi iyong iba, tulad ko, minsan walang oras kasi mayroon din akong trabaho… Maraming salamat. Marami kayong natutulungan at sana marami pa kayong matulungan,” she said.

[This is wonderful because others, like me, sometimes do not have time because of work… Thank you so much. You have helped a lot and I hope you can still help many more.] (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)