Operation tuli held

The VPHCS joined a series of operation tuli  launched this summer, as in previous years.

The VPHCS team of doctors and volunteers joined the annual operation tuli in the Municipality of Baclayon, Bohol on May 2  where more than 250 boys were circumcised.  The local government unit of Baclayon sponsored the tuli.    The VPHCS team which helped the staff of the Baclayon Rural Health Unit was composed of Dr. Grace Molina, Dr. Oliver Gimenez, Irish Ramirez, Edgar Gahisan, Emelie Fernandez, and Linda de Castro.   Nursing students of the Students’ Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) also helped in the services.

VPHCS staff Irish Ramirez  circumcises  a boy in Baclayon.

VPHCS staff Emelie Fernandez in Baclayon tuli.

VPHCS team of volunteers also joined another tuli in Poblacion Medellin, which was organized by the Perez Monasque Foundation.   More than 200 boys benefitted from the free circumcision held on May 5.

Mothers and their boys wait for their turn during the tuli in Medellin sponsored by the Perez Monasque Foundation on May 5, 2012.

VPHCS team and volunteers pose with members of the Perez Monasque Foundation during the tuli in Medellin on May 5.

VPHCS volunteers in the operation tuli in Medellin.

The VPHCS also lent its tuli instruments during  two free circumcisions organized by the local government units of Paknaan  and Labogon, Mandaue City on May 19 and 26, respectively.  The activities were held in coordination with the Cebu Institute of Medicine- Community Medico-Social Services (CIM-CMSS) in Paknaan.  Dr. Erlinda Posadas, staff of the VPHCS and also a faculty member of the CIM joined medical students and resident doctors of the medical school in rendering the circumcision services. More than 350 boys benefitted from the two occasions.

Medical students and doctors of the Cebu Institute of Medicine together with VPHCS staff Dr. Erlinda Posadas,  and Labogon barangay captain Damaso Tumulak and health center personnel in the tuli on May 26, 2012. 

Operation tuli in Baclayon

The Baclayon multi-purpose center, site of the operation tuli

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. supported the Muncipality of Baclayon in its annual Operation Tuli (circumcision) last May 4, 2011. For several years now, the VPHCS provided the surgical instruments and sent its staff and volunteer nurses and doctors for the activity. More than 200 boys from different barangays in the municipality benefited from the free operation tuli organized under the leadership of Baclayon Mayor Alvin Jayag Uy.

Boys waiting for their turn

Dr. Eno Tirol (right) with a volunteer nursing student

Dr. Kenneth Ng with a nurse

Nurse Zane Omega with a volunteer nursing student

The VPHCS also provided Arnica, a homeopathic remedy for all the boys to alleviate pain and inflammation. The VPHCS staff members have been practicing homeopathy as taught to them by German homeopath Dr. Norbert Enders of the Solidarity Homeopathie in France.

A nurse gives Arnica, a homeopathic remedy for pain to a boy before the circumcision

VPHCS physician Dr. Erlinda Posadas

VPHCS physician Dr. Mark Molina with nursing students

VPHCS staff Emelie Fernandez and VPHCS Board member Carrie Tharan

Members of the Students Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) also assisted in the yearly activity.

VPHCS staff Linda de Castro (right) with a volunteer nursing student

VPHCS staff Lucila Carreon

VPHCS staff nurse Cheryl Molina and VPHCS Board member Carrie Tharan

VPHCS volunteer nurses Edgar Gahisan and Jafe Sepulveda with volunteer nurses

VPHCS promotes community health awareness and involvement among students

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) has recently tapped more nursing and medical students in Cebu and Bohol in its continuing effort to involve health students in its community-based health programs and outreach medical missions.

In Cebu, the VPHCS has facilitated the formation of the Students for Health Advocacy, Response and Empowerment (SHARE), an organization of medical and health allied students committed to serve the communities. In Bohol, the Students Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) composed of nursing students in Tagbilaran City has continued to join VPHCS in its outreach medical missions.

SHARE Batch 2012- USPF Chapter was formed in March 25, 2010 after 25 students who were given an orientation of SHARE showed interest to pursue its objectives. An election of officers of the chapter was also conducted. Its first activity was a community outreach program in Sitio Back of Matimco, Subangdako, Mandaue City last April 9, 2010. Fifteen members of the chapter gave a health education class on hand washing to 30 children who were beneficiaries of the ongoing feeding program in the sitio. The students also took the blood pressure of the residents.

In Bohol, SACHS members recently joined an operation tuli sponsored by the VPHCS and the local government unit of Baclayon on April 22.

Medical mission in Ubay, Bohol

Around 175 children were served during the medical mission conducted by the Visayas Primary Health Care Services in coordination the Pangpang Farmers and Fisherfolks Organization (PAF0) in Barangay Pangpay, Ubay, Bohol on Feb. 27, 2010.

The team of volunteer doctors and health staff together with members of the Student Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) students of Holy Name University University in Tagbilaran City rendered the health services which included urinalysis, nutritional status determination, visual acuity testing, dental check-up and medical check-up.

The VPHCS started such type of medical mission of physical examination of children last March 2009 with the objective of screening of visual, urinary tract and dental problems, malnutrition and other problems which could impair the proper growth and development of the children. The VPHCS shall come up with a health profile and recommendations for intervention of the children.