CEBU, Philippines - A Buddhist group, Tzu Chi Foundation, has started its series of medical missions in the towns of the fifth district of the Province of Cebu.
This is in cooperation with the office of Provincial Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale.
On May 4, more than 1,000 patients from the 19 barangays of Borbon have availed of the one day medical mission held at Borbon Central School.
There were 45 patients with warts and cysts that availed of minor surgeries, 327 patients availed of free check-ups, 256 for dental services, 401 pediatric services and 238 eye patients.
Magpale, during the event, recommended the referral of two patients to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for a complete examination before undergoing surgery and a 14-year old patient with glaucoma.
Magpale’s chief of staff, Rhoda Emia-Alvarez, said the foundation also conducted free general and pediatrics check-up and dental and ophthalmology services.
“Board Magpale thanked the partner foundation for providing the answers to the health needs of his constituents and the support from the LGU of Borbon,†said Alvarez.
She said the activity, which is the first medical mission made by their office in coordination with another foundation, aims to deliver medical services to the other municipalities of the district.
The next medical mission is scheduled on June 29 at the municipality of Sogod.
Tzu Chi Foundation is an international humanitarian organization founded with a group of 30 housewives by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, a Buddhist nun, on May 14, 1966 in a mountainous village of Hualien in Taiwan.
It later became a major group with about 10 million members and chapters in 47 countries, including the Philippines, where it has been doing humanitarian works over the past 20 years. (FREEMAN)