For the second time this year, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano extended help to indigent patients in Pangasinan, among them cancer patients and a child born with a rare health condition.
The two-day medical caravan, held on May 3 and 4, 2023, was able to help more than 400 patients with their medical expenses such as hospital bills, medicine, laboratory tests, dialysis, and other medical procedures.
In partnership with Calasiao, Pangasinan Mayor Kevin Roy Macanlalay, the first day of the medical help desk was set up at the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City in coordination with Medical Center Chief II Dr. Joseph Roland Mejia, Chief Administrative Officer Raymundo Malubag, and Medical Social Services Department Chief Brenda Chan.
Many of the beneficiaries were receiving treatment for cancer, respiratory diseases, orthopedic disorders, and congenital disorders.
One of them was a four-month-old child who had just undergone surgery due to blockage in the colon. The team bore the expense of the baby’s medical treatments, who was at the time admitted to an intensive care unit, and vowed to help with any future medical needs until the baby is fully cured.
Cayetano’s office also partnered up with Pangasinan Governor Ramon “Mon-Mon” Guico III and 3rd District Board Member Vici Ventanilla to accommodate patients at Pangasinan Provincial Hospital in San Carlos City headed by Chief of Hospital Dr. Cipriano Fernandez.
The beneficiaries, who came from various parts of the province including San Carlos City, Calasiao, Urbiztondo, and Sta. Barbara, were given aid to avail themselves of vaccines and medical intervention for animal bite, childbirth concerns, orthopedic disorders, dental problems, and chronic kidney disease.
Cherry Ann Aquino, a patient from Lingayen, was granted support for her dialysis sessions until December this year. She said her treatment has been a constant burden especially with her husband’s low income as a fish pond caretaker.
The Tulong-Medikal Team organized the caravan in San Carlos City in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development Region 1.
Cayetano has been working together with different government agencies to reach out to various sectors in need through his flagship project ‘Bayanihan Caravan’ which includes the medical caravan.
In the Senate, he had filed several health-related bills last year such as the Barangay Health Centers Act (Senate Bill No. 303), Super Health Centers in All Cities and Municipalities (Senate Bill No. 304), the Health Passport System Act (Senate Bill No. 60), the Mahal ko, Barangay Health Worker Ko Law (Senate Bill No. 68), and the Floating Hospitals Act (Senate Bill No. 305).###
