Phil-Am medical mission serves 3,000 poor patients
More than 80 major surgical operations were performed on some 3,000 indigent patients in Pangasinan during the week-long Philippine-American Medical Association medical mission at the Regional Medical Center in Dagupan City that started February 5.
Dr. Jesus Canto, hospital director, described the activity as “the biggest mission so far that made its impact on the lives of Pangasinenses, especially the poor.”
The medical mission, hatched two years ago by Director Canto and Lyceum-Northwestern University president Gonzalo Duque, was undertaken by a select group of outstanding Filipino American doctors and personnel, assisted by a Pangasinan medical complement led by Dr. Canto.
On opening day, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told newsmen the Filipino-American medical mission was “a boon to our kababayans because they received expert medical consultation and cure and surgery, not to mention high quality medicines, all for free.”
Led by US-based Dr. Grace Duque-Dizon and Dr. Vic Bautista, the group started a similar medical mission in Cebu City the other year. It was there where the idea of a Dagupan medical mission was conceptualized with the help of Atty. Duque, Dr. Canto and the officers of the Philippine -American Medical Association of Georgia.
The Duques have donated several facilities to the RMC including a modern conference hall, equipment worth millions of pesos.
Canto said “the Duques are a God-send to the poor people in Pangasinan who cannot avail themselves of modern medical care.”
The tradition began during their father’s stint as secretary of health and as Pangasinan governor.
The late Secretary Duque Jr., was the father of Medicare in the country.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
