MANDALUYONG CITY -- Seven hundred forty-four clients and patients availed the medical and health services of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Health Caravan in Barangay Novaliches Proper on March 22, 2022.

A partnership with the local government of Novaliches Proper, the beauty expert Ricky Reyes, and PRC, the Health Caravan offered the following free services: COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, first-aid lectures with demos, medical consultations, blood sugar tests, and eye check-ups. Free reading glasses were also given to patients. Hot meals were also served to everyone.

John Sander, a 19-year-old student and job applicant, got vaccinated in PRC’s Bakuna Bus. He shared that he feared getting vaccinated, but did it anyway because it is a requirement in his job applications. The PRC Bakuna Bus is a bus whose interior is set up with equipment, vaccines and supplies, and vaccinators. The Bakuna Bus is PRC’s way to bring the vaccines and information to the people, assuaging their hesitations to get vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Jesselle Frogosa, 32, a member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children attended a free first-aid lecture and demonstration because she believes that it is essential for a family to have a member who knows how to perform first aid. 

Rosa Bonagua, 50, came with her husband and two sons, 12 and 9 to avail the free medical check-up. On the importance of regular check-ups, she says, “Sobra-sobra pong halaga sa amin, kasi syempre once na nagpapa-check up ka, at least malalaman mo kung ano ang dapat na gawin at maiiwasan ‘yung mga dapat iwasan.”

Janette Timbas, 48, a barangay volunteer, had a medical check-up and eye exam where she also received a free reading glasses. She said the Health Caravan was a help to many families in Barangay Novaliches Proper because the free services allow them to save on expenses.

“Napakaganda po ng kanyang panuntunan na magkaroon po sa bawat ganitong medical mission o medical caravan, para po lahat ng tao makapagpa-check up o maka-donate po ng dugo, para po sa Nova Proper - at hindi lang sa Nova Proper, kahit po sa ibang lugar,” Timbas said. 

Moreover, Barangay Captain Asuncion Visaya echoes Ms. Timbas, “Napakalaki pong halaga nito, itong ating ginagawa, laking tulong sa mga constituents ko, lalung-lalo na po ‘yung mga ISF (informal settler families) natin, na can’t afford na magpa-check up sa mga hospital.”

According to Janice Adolfo, Administrator at the Philippine Red Cross Quezon City Chapter, PRC can organize a health caravan in other places, since the COVID-19 alert level has been lowered. Prior to the lowering of the alert level, the government restricted mobility and mass gatherings.

“Ano pa man ang sitwasyon, ang Red Cross ay laging una, laging handa, at laging nandyan para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga lubos na nangangailangan,” PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Dick Gordon, said.

The PRC Health Caravan will be in Rizal, Quezon City, Pasig, and Marikina from March 21 to 27, 2022. (Philippine Red Cross)