Hundreds of patients undergoing treatment at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center received vital medical assistance this week from the offices of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano.
The two-day caravan, held on January 31 and February 1, 2024, helped a total of 623 patients with their hospital bills, medical and laboratory procedures, and treatments.
This was part of Senator Alan’s Tulong-Medikal program, an initiative that sets up hospital desks in various places in the country to cater to Filipinos undergoing treatment.
The activity was held in coordination with Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical City and in partnership with the local government of the Province of Albay and City of Legazpi, Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman and Legazpi City Councilor Joseph Philip Lee.
The medical caravan catered to the needs of patients with chronic kidney disease, HIV, heart disease, cancer, orthopedic issues, cysts, hernias, brain diseases, autoimmune diseases, congenital anomalies, as well as the needs of pregnant women.
Edna Marfil, the mother of a patient with a head injury that led to a blood clot, shed tears of joy upon receiving the medical aid.
“Salamat sa Diyos at may mga taong may puso na tumutulong sa walang. Hindi ko akalain na may mga taong tumutulong sa walang-wala,” she said.
“Maraming-maraming salamat sa iyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, malaking tulong po ito sa amin,” she added.
Delia Malan, whose daughter-in-law has gastrointestinal disease, said the aid they received would really help her with the continuous treatment.
“Hirap talaga kami… Sa tulong po ninyo, gagaan na ang gastusin namin,” she said.
Delia was also grateful to learn that after three months, she could come back to the medical desk to get another assistance with medicines. “Gumaan po talaga ang pakiramdam ko,” she said.
The medical caravan also catered to areas in Legazpi, Masbate, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and other municipalities in Albay.
This is not the first time the office of Senator Cayetano conducted a medical caravan in the Bicol Region. In 2023, hundreds of patients also received medical aid in Legazpi City.
Cayetano’s office has helped thousands of Filipinos nationwide since October 2022 through medical caravans, ensuring that underprivileged Filipinos can acquire the assistance they need.###