Treatment support running out for ex-factory worker

By Ramon Dacawi

Thirty seven-year old Abner Libang, a former factory worker in Korea, still has to depend on Alicia, his 61-year old widowed mother, to survive.

Alicia (nee Paciteng), a farmer from Bulalacao, Mankayan, Benguet, lost to illness her husband, Miguel of Bangao, Buguias, Benguet in 1986.

Since then, she single-handedly raised their six children, including Abner, the second in the brood.

Nowadays, she prays she won’t also lose her son this early.

That’s why she had a social case study report prepared by the municipal social welfare and development officer, got a clinical abstract from his doctor, together with a listing of standard supplies needed for hemodialysis  and a residency certification from the barangay captain who also indicated that Abner has no derogatory records or pending case before the barangay.

With these as attachments, she had her son sign an authority for his medical case to be written about, published and aired in the various media outlets, “with the hope that readers/listeners would be able to respond and extend their support to sustain my life-time hemodialysis treatment at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center”.

According to social worker Maria Lourdes Taguiba, Abner was working in South Korea early last year when he was diagnosed for end-stage kidney failure. After undergoing emergency hemodialyis treatment there, he had no choice but to come home.

At present, he’s undergoing thrice-a-week dialysis treatment, on the 11 a.m. shift on Monday, 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 8 p.m. on Friday.

At P2,200 per session, the BGHMC has drawn 160 patients attached to the blood-cleansing tubes for four hours either three or two times a week.  The center has attracted the most number as it offers the cheapest rate and accepts guarantee letters from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philhealth that  the cost  of treatment for  qualified patients shall be charged to these government service agencies.

Problem, as Alicia pointed out last Wednesday, is that Abner’s PCSO fund support would last only until November 23.

“He will be eligible to apply for another  P20,000 support only by next January,” she said.

Reason enough for her appeal to Samaritans out there. 

Abner and his mother stays in his brother’s house in Toyong, Pico, La Trinidad. During his treatment schedules, he stays with another relative at Camp Allen, Baguio City.

The patient is married to a fellow former worker he met in Korea. “She is at present living with her parents in Pangasinan,” Taguiba noted in the social case study report.

People who can extend support may contact Alicia through cell phone n umber 09194168805.

Meanwhile, two women who declined to be identified reached out last week to dialysis patient April Vicente Sakiwat  after his wife, Cathy (nee Mangeda) had his case published in the local papers.

Cathy said a woman in her 50s asked to meet her last Monday morning infront of the municipal hall of La Trinidad, Benguet. “Despite my asking, she didn’t mention her name but handed P5,000 for April’s treatment,” Cathy recalled.

Last Wednesday afternoon, another woman called, advising Cathy to meet her below the provincial capitol, also in La Trinidad. “She just introduced herself as a cousin of my father and gave P2,000,” Cathy said.

Other Samaritans may ring up Sakiwat’s number (09309273579).  .