GMA Kapuso Foundation leads health programs in first half of 2015

MANILA, Philippines - Bridging donors and beneficiaries, GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) continues to stand by its mission of uplifting the lives of underprivileged Filipinos through several health programs in the first half of 2015.

From January to June 2015, GMAKF’s health programs served a total of 5,789 individuals with medical assistance from various places in the country.

“As we continue our endeavor in providing public service, we also keep in mind that health drives efficient productivity and should not be taken lightly,” expresses GMAKF Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mel Tiangco. “We are overwhelmed by the success of our health programs so far, and we look forward to more successful projects with more beneficiaries for this year and the years to come,” she adds.

 The Bisig Bayan medical assistance program of GMAKF provides medicines, surgical supplies, surgery, diagnostic and laboratory examinations and referrals to appropriate agencies and institutions to indigent beneficiaries with various illnesses. From January to June 2015, 694 patients have been assisted, 31 of which are Subject of Appeal (SOA) cases - featured in the Kapusong Totoo Segment of 24 Oras.

 In February, GMAKF held its Oral Health Month project in line with the Department of Health monthly themes, and brought smiles to 92 indigent individuals who received new sets of complete dentures from Centro Escolar University Dental Facility. An additional 30 beneficiaries also received partial dentures through the support of the Philippine Association of Private School Dentists and Emilio Aguinaldo College, School of Dentistry. A total of 122 individuals regained their confidence with their new smiles.

In celebration of Women’s Health Month, GMAKF visited Barangay San Pedro Pateros last March 30, and provided free PAP smear testing for 100 females in the community. Another 100 females were also screened in Mandaue Central School, Cebu. The activity, which served a total of 200 females, also included lectures on reproductive health care and Self Breast Examination, and was supported by Hi Precision Diagnostics, EAMC-OBGYNE Department and EJACC.

Meanwhile, more boys benefited from the annual summer project Operation Tuli last April 25. A total of 1,623 boys from NCR and Cebu received free circumcision. Aside from the resident partner, the Philippine Society of Surgeons (OSGS) Metro Manila Chapter, 6 hospitals also joined in the simultaneous procedure including the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City General Hospital, Quezon City General Hospital, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and Tondo Medical Center.

In May, a brand new project named Linis Lusog Kapusong Kabataan (LLKK) was launched in Catmon Elementary School, which aims to promote and teach students and parents proper hand washing, oral hygiene, nail cutting and head lice treatment. The activity served a total of 274 students, and was made possible with the help of Philippine Association of Private School Dentist (PAPSD), and Philippine Dental Association (PDA) who provided 20 pediatric dentists and 10 dentists. Lamoiyan also provided Licealiz shampoo.

In June, GMAKF celebrated the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by providing Free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing to 88 male residents of Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Out of the 88 beneficiaries, 7 got high PSA results and were referred to the Municipal Health Unit of Bulacan for further medical intervention. Alongside the screening, lectures on Prostate Care and Management of Prostate Illness were also provided in partnership with Hi-Precision Diagnostics and Philippine Cancer Society, and were facilitated by Dr. Joseph Ibarra, Urologist of JRMMC.

For the Kalusugan Karavan (KK), the roving medical mission of GMAKF, 800 residents of Brgy. San Pedro in Pateros benefited from the project through GMAKF’s partnership with the Municipal Health Office of Pateros last March. In June, a medical and dental mission was conducted among 1,000 residents of Barlig, Mountain Province, while another medical mission was held in Brgy. Umalbong, Hingayon, Ifugao, serving a total of 950 patients (850 with medical and 100 with blood works) with the help of Hingayon Rural Health Unit and Ifugao, Medical Society. Over-all, free medical check-ups and medicines were given to 2,750 individuals in various Kalusugan Karavan missions and monthly health activities held nationwide.

As GMAKF wraps up the first half of the year, projects for the remaining half are on their way to materialization and eventually success. Truly, GMAKF values the lives of the less fortunate Filipinos, and will certainly continue to carry projects to help address problems and uplift spirits across the country.