TCPI medical mission returns to Ilaya, serves 500 residents

AFTER almost four years, the medical mission of Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. (TCPI) returned to Barangay Ilaya in San Fernando, Cebu and served a total of 503 residents.

The TCPI mission with Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) first served some 400 residents in July 2010 when its first round that started in June 2006 would cover the 12 barangays under the Social Development Management Program in that year.

For this year’s mission, some 292 barangay residents walked in to join 64 neighbors who registered days ahead for medical consultation during the whole day activity in an open field beside the barangay health center, according to Vanessa N. Bongcawil, TCPI community and general affairs supervisor.

Among them were 158 adults and 198 children, 13 years old and below, she said.

At least 45 others also had their teeth examined with the bad ones extracted, while about 102 others also took advantage of the eye examination that went with free spectacles for those in need.

Company physician Dr. Ildebrando E. Estella led the doctors and volunteers with nurses Danila Sabrido and Fredbert Cortes assisting them.

The most common cases noted among adults were anemia, arthritis, headaches and dizziness, hyperacidity, hypertension, muscular pains, skin infections and supplementation, said Gines T. Boltron, SEDC community development office section head.

Most of the children had cases of fever, gastroenteritis, skin infections and untreated wounds, said Boltron.

The team also noted that in both adults and children common cases as colds and cough are both due to upper respiratory tract infection, a medical con- dition common in all parts of the country, said Estella.

Ilaya Barangay Captain Cecilia P. Cañalita assisted TCPI and SEDC during the activity with barangay council members, health workers, some school teachers and tanods.

She thanked the two companies for bringing the medical mission to their hinterland barangay again, noting that her constituents were not only attended to but were also given some medicines.

Many of those who benefited hardly get medical attention because of sheer poverty, and that they live far from public hospitals, noted the barangay leader.

As TCPI community relations officer, TCPI human resources and administration division manager Esther P. Cola oversaw the activity with the assistance of her community relations coordinators, Efren T. Labrado and Rolando T. Manalop.