Medical mission held to observe Episcopal school’s founding

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A medical mission was held here last week to commemorate founding anniversary of All Saints Mission Elementary School, one of the earliest Episcopalian institutions in north Luzon that was established by the American missionaries in   the early 1900s.     

           

More than 100 patients composed of babies, teenagers and senior citizens were treated by medical professionals at the Sibley Hall of All Saints Mission Elementary School Nov. 3.

The medical professionals were members of ASMES working here at Bontoc General Hospital, and municipal health office. Others were members of the local government and private sector.     

The event was a joint venture of barangay officials of Poblacion, Bontoc headed by Erlinda Bucaycay, ASMES Alumni Association with Esther Daoas as its president and Buhay Party List represented by Rep. Velarde.

According to Dawn Diaz, political affairs officer of Velarde, the cost of assorted medicines worth P65,000.00 came from the Public Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Velarde.

Senior citizens interviewed were grateful for the free medical mission saying they hoped this would be a continuing activity.

They added cost of medicines in pharmacies are high but free medicines can be accessed from donors.  

Some of the medicines donated by Velarde were: multi-vitamins, cough preparation, antibiotics and anti-pyretics.

The physicians who shared their time were: Diga Gomez, Claudine Dirige, April Dalome Pekley, Carol Yawan, Judith Pagaduan and Jacqueline Madarang while the attending nurses were Johanna Padaen, AlfaritaYampan, Dorothy Villanueva, Nellie Diaz, Angela Mae Gapasen, Xandise Langeg, Orlie Tamid-ay, Kim Regaspi and Lalaine Acay.

Leah Changat, a registered pharmacist, led the distribution of medicines to patients.

She was assisted by Zenith Dalog, Marion Pumecha and Alma Batnag.          

Last Oct. 27, some 84 individuals undertook blood sugar testing at the ASMES compound under the auspices of Edgar Cue, his brother Bert, sister Winnie and cousins who are alumni of ASMES.

They provided instruments and supplies and hiring of a medical technologist who performed tests.