Medical missions for survivors of the Oct. 15 earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda

In response to the October 15 earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda disasters, the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, rendered medical services to survivors of the calamites. 

Medical and psychosocial support services were held during a relief mission on Nov. 30 in Barangay Bahi, Loon and Dec. 1 in Barangay Triple Union in Catigbian in Bohol, which were affected by the earthquake. More than 400 patients availed of medical check consultations and medicines and more than 100 survivors mostly children also had psychosocial therapy.

 Dr. Erlinda Posadas treats a child with cough in Loon mission.

VSMMC PGI Neil Wahing checks up a patient 

for anemia in Catigbian mission.

The medical services were part of a relief mission organized by the Community Empowerment Resource Network, Inc. (CERNET) with the support of the Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (Protestant Agency for Diakonia and Development) based in Germany. CERNET executive director Dr. Oliver Gimenez led the team of the relief mission. Residents of the two and neighboring barangay were given relief goods including rice, canned goods, water and other basic necessities. 

PGIs of VSMMC check up patients in Loon medical mission.

A volunteer psychologist counselor 

in play therapy in Catigbian mission.

The medical missions were supported by the Task Force Carabao – Germany and the Panaghugpong sa mga Mag-uuma ug Mangingisda sa Loon and the Hugpong sa Mag-uumang Bol-anon. 

The medical team was composed of VPHCS staff and volunteers Dr. Erlinda Posadas, Irish Grace Ramirez, R.N., Lourdes Geolin, Dalaguete MHO Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso, Dr. Ma. Jecyl Amaya-Radam, Dr. Roentgen Amaya, Dr. Grace Molina, Edgar Gahisan, R.N., Mark Balingit, R.N., 13 post-graduate interns of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) led by Dr. Neil Wahing, six volunteer psychologists led by VSMMC psychologist Ma. Antonella Codeneira, and nursing students belonging to the Student Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) based in Tagbilaran City. 

A pose of the medical and relief team in Bahi, Loon.

A pose of the medical and relief team in Catigbian.

The VPHCS also sent a medical team to a medical mission held in barangays Tindog, Don Virgilio, Panugwawan and Lamintak Sur in Medellin on December 4-7, 2013 which was severely affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The medical services were held together with distribution of relief goods for survivors of the typhoon. The relief mission was spearheaded by the Filipino-Americans US based health professionals. More than 1,400 families benefitted from the relief mission. VPHCS team included Irish Grace Ramirez, R.N., Lourdes Geolin and Edgar Gahisan, R.N.

 A barangay health worker attends to patients 

in Lamintak Sur, Medellin.

VPHCS volunteer nurse attends to patients 

in Lamintak Sur, Medellin.

Another team was also sent by the VPHCS to a medical mission in the municipality of Orrmoc and in Barangay Lonoy, Kananga, Leyte. The medical mission was organized by the Samahang Operation Sagip (SOS) which is a medical program of the Council for Health and Development (CHD) that responds to calamities. More than 50 doctors, nurses, psychologists and volunteers rendered medical services for more than hundreds of residents who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The VPHCS team included Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso, Irish Grace Ramirez, R.N. and Clay Ordona.

Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso checks up 

a patient in Kananga, Leyte.

 

 Patients in Lonoy elementary school medical mission. 

 Volunteers of the Samahang Operasyong Sagip in Leyte mission.