Clark residents get free medical help

CLARK FREEPORT — More than 1,300 residents from the Metro Clark area received free medical services and essential goods during the 2nd Joint Fil-Am Outreach Mission at the Clark Polytechnic Multipurpose Hall on Monday.

The initiative was a collaborative effort of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), Angeles City Clark Balibago Lions Club (ACCBLC), and Maharlika Lions Club of Sacramento, California.

The mission provided 500 beneficiaries with medical consultations, 250 with dental services, 250 with optical care, and additional 300 slots to accommodate additional needs.

ACCBLC president Maria Kathreena Mercado said their club is committed to bridging health care gaps for underprivileged communities.

"We're doing this [medical mission] for the people who are less fortunate, those who can't directly go to hospitals, those who have difficulty getting medicines, we are here so that we can approach them and give them personally," she said.

The program catered to daily wage earners, indigent residents, and members of the Aeta community, with volunteer doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses providing essential services.

Esther Garcia, an Aeta resident from Sto. Niño, Bamban, Tarlac expressed her gratitude for the free medical consultation.

"Thank you to those who provided us with medicine. Living in the mountains, it's a challenge for us to access health care. Sometimes, we can't afford to buy medicine, so we're grateful for the help. It's reassuring to know there are kind people who care about our well-being and provide us with medical checkups," she said.

Erica Sanchez, a mother from Marcos Village in Mabalacat City with two children enrolled at the CDC-OB-Bloomberry Family Care Center, also availed of the services.

The medical mission was also supported by the Holy Family Academy, Systems Plus College Foundation, Philippine Air Force, Subic Bay Centennial Lions Club, DPMexico Implant Dental Center, Lab1 Medical & Diagnostic Center, Hermosa Centennial Lions Club, and Rei Anicoche, founder and chairman of Beautederm Group of Companies, among others.