Medical mission in Sta. Fe

The Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. joined the dental and circumcision (tuli) services and giving of reading glasses during a mission sponsored by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Sta. Fe, Cebu last May 17 – 18, 2014.

The activity is part of the Bulig Katilingban: Task Force on Emergency Response (TFER) of the IFI-Parish of the Holy Child in Sta. Fe. It was held in the covered gymnasium in the poblacion of Sta. Fe. 

A total of 619 residents of Sta. Fe benefited from the services, 236 boys were circumcised, 217 had dental services of teeth extraction, cleaning and filling of cavities, and 166 received correction reading glasses. Some 100 boys also received toothbrushes and took fluoride.

Children receive new toothbrushes 

from CDS President Dr. Ma. Paciencia Belarmino.

The VPHCS sent a team of 21 volunteers of nurses and doctors and community health workers and provided the instruments for the tuli. The CDS had 7 dentists and 5 dental students of the Southwestern University College of Dentistry. The mobile dental van of the Juanito I. King Foundation provided additional dental services. Three practicing optometrists fitted the reading glasses. The IFI- Sta. Fe youth group manned the registration and ensured the smooth flow of the services.

Dr. Ronald M. Loyola, CDS Outreach Program Coordinator 

extracts a child’s bad teeth.

Southwestern University College of Dentistry 

student Rizalyn Apilado assisted by dentist Dr. Katrina Carlos 

treats a dental patient in the dental van 

of the Juanito I. King Foundation. 

The team departed from Cebu City in the dawn of May 17 and arrived in Sta. Fe before lunch. An opening program followed where Fr. Marciano Carabio, the Diocesan Program Coordinator of the Task Force on Emergency Response gave the opening prayers. Edgar Gahisan, R.N. VPHCS staff member introduced the team of volunteers. 

VPHCS physician Dr. Erlinda Posadas, 

 volunteer nurse Edgar Gahisan 

and medical doctor Anthonee Bacaltos render their services.

While the boys were waiting for their turn to start the tuli, the dental team assembled the boys in rows and applied fluoride fluid on their teeth. The following day, before the tuli started, the waiting boys were given toothbrushes and taught the correct way to tooth brush. Proper hand washing was also taught to the boys while singing the song, Happy Birthday. 

Eye check up with optometrists Dr. Mary Ruthsen Dayrit

her mother Dr. Marilyn Dayrit and Dr. Leomeress Montegrande

The services on Saturday ended in the late afternoon, and resumed the following day, Sunday. Everybody who needed to be attended to were served and the mission ended at 2:30 p.m. Team departed the island at 3:30 p.m.

It was a very worthwhile and memorable experience for the team members who were touched by the openness, simplicity and warm-heartedness of the people of Sta. Fe.

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

Operation tuli missions conducted

Nearly 500 boys were circumcised by staff and volunteers of the Visayas Primary Health Care Services, Inc. (VPHCS) and other groups in three separate operation tuli missions this April.

The first operation tuli was held in Poblacion Baclayon, Bohol on April 22, sponsored by the VPHCS, the local government unit of the Municipality of Baclayon, the Students Alliance for Community Health Services (SACHS) in Bohol, and the Kabataan Party List. More than 180 boys from Baclayon availed of the services.



The second operation tuli was held in Barangay Bolinawan, Carcar City on April 24, held in coordination with the Total Outreach for Community Health (TORCH) of the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM), the Cebu Relief and Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (CRRC) and the local government unit of Carcar City. About 220 boys from Barangays Valencia, Buenavista , Calidngan and Bolinawan were circumcised by students and alumni of the CIM who are members of the TORCH.



The third operation tuli was held in the rural barangay of Mahagbu in the Municipality of Trinidad, Bohol on April 26. Youth from Trinidad together with staff members of the VPHCS served more than 60 boys. Blood sugar testing was also done.

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.