US-based Kapampangan group conducts medical mission in Masantol town

MASANTOL – More than 700 residents from this fourth district town on Monday benefitted from a medical and dental mission sponsored by a United States-based Kapampangan group.

Led by its President Mina Tahayeri, the Aguman Capampangan Northwest USA (ACNU) members offered various medical and dental activities together with dozens of volunteer doctors, dentists, physical therapists and pharmaci st s.

Among the services that were administered for free are medical check-up and consultation, tooth removal, body reflexology and gave away free medicines and eyeglasses.

Aside from being a Masantol-native herself, Tahayeri said that they have chosen Masantol to be one of the beneficiaries as they have seen that many of the residents here, especially those from coastal villages, are still deprived of medical attention due to poverty.

Tahayeri, meanwhile, shared that their organization has been conducting medical and dental missions not only in Pampanga, but in the whole country as well, for almost 10 years now.

Founded in 1996, Tahayeri disclosed that ACNU was founded by Kapampangans from the northwest side of the US who wanted to aid needy kabalens in the province.

“Our group was formed by just all Kapampangans who are thirsty to help and make a difference to our kabalens here. Although most of us are not doctors, we were able to pull it out and share

something from our pockets to make this project possible,” she said.

Tahayeri added that of the 22 towns and cities in the province, only three municipalities were chosen to be beneficiaries of the project namely Masantol, Macabebe and Lubao.

Aside from this, Masantoleño students from the five coastal villages here also received some 1,500 sandals and relief packs and around 6,000 toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Mayor Danilo Guintu, for his part, expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by the organization to the municipality and his kabalens.

“Hindi po sapat ang isang salita para mapasalamatan ko ang Aguman Capampangan. Sa libo-libo po na natulungan nila sa bayan natin, lubos ang pasasalamat ng mga Masantoleño,” he said, adding that it is the second time that Masantol was chosen as a recipient.

In return, Guintu said that he assured the organization of the whole activity through a four-month preparation since they received the e-mail of ACNU that they will be one of the beneficiaries.

The local government also expressed their gratitude to the group by awarding them a certificate of appreciation during the medical mission.