Cataract Mission

Gabriela Silang General Hospital, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

August 22-23,2011

The Cataract Mission Teams at Gabriela Silang General Hospital

As the province celebrates Sight Saving Month, last August 22 and 23, 2011, a Cataract Mission was successfully conducted at Gabriela Silang General Hospital.  The humanitarian service is for the indigent community of the Province of Ilocos Sur.

Since June, the cataract screening was undertaken by the Local Committee on Sight Preservation (LCSP) administered by the JCS Foundation.  The LCSP ophthalmologists are Dr. Pablito. Barroga, Dr. Donald. Subia, Dr. Rolando Vermudez, Dr. Simeon Aquino and Dr. Bernardino De Gracia.  They have worked voluntarily to screen the patients for the operation.

The Ephpheta Foundation for the Blind conducted the eye examination

Last August 22 at 1:00 AM, the Ephpheta Foundation for the Blind RNs Jennifer Dimatulac,, Mary Jane Sembrano and Jhun Paul Makiling have arrived at the Gabriela Silang General Hospital with their medical equipment.  Early as 7:00 AM, patients came in and had their eye examination with the Ephpheta Foundation.

Head Nurse Angelita Alvis and GSGH nurses assist the patients for the operation

JCS Foundation Chairman Jeremias “Jerry” Singson, GSGH Technical Staff Nurse Angelita Alvis, Gaylene de Sesto of Center for Health Development, and other GSGH nurses and staffs, guided the patients for the preparation of their operation.  It was 3:00 PM when all the patients were finally screened. 

The Cataract Mission with Local Committee on Sight Preservation headed by Dr. Pablito Barroga and Ephpheta Foundation

Last August 23, 2011 the Cataract Mission commenced at 7:00 AM.  Patients were accompanied by their family and relatives.

The mission was the group effort of various partners, to wit;

1. Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur thru Governor Luis Chavit Singson,
2. Northwestern Luzon Chapter of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology with the Chapter President Dr. Pablito Barroga,
3. Ephpheta Foundation with the Foundation nurses’ Jennifer Dimatulac Mary Jane Sembrana and Jhun Paul Makiling,
4. Local Committee on Sight Preservation (LCSP) doctors: Dr. Donald Subia, Dr. Rolando Vermudez, Dr. Simeon Aquino
5. Center for Health Development Region I led by Regional Director Valeriano Lopez represented by Gaylene de Sesto,
6. I- SENZ PHARMA Inc. represented by Joseph Lorenzo, RN,
7. Provincial Government Nurses headed by Angelita Alvis together with Daryl Rayray, Michellaine Ubaldo, Volunteer Nurses and St. Paul College OJT nurses,
8. JCS Foundation Chairman & CEO Jeremias “Jerry” Singson
9. JCS Foundation staff Nenita Alamar, Vilma “Melba” Amano, Richard Flores & Edwin Castillo.

The patients operated in the mission with JCS, Ephpheta Foundation  and Dr. Donald Subia

        A total of 33 patients successfully operated and brought back their good eyesight.  At 8:00 in the evening the mission was finished and all participants of the mission was grateful.  After the operation a follow up check up in the morning of August 24, 2011 for the patients was generated at the GSGH to ensure the achievement of the operation of the every patient.


For more Cataract Mission photos click on, The Gabriela Silang General Hospital

Cataract Mission

City of Candon Hospital, Candon City, Ilocos Sur

March 22, 2011

      The Cataract Mission was successfully held in City of Candon Hospital last March 22, 2011.

The City of Candon Hospital

     Prior to the Mission, as early as 8:00 in the morning the screening of patients was held in Candon City Hospital last March 17, 2011.  The hospital was full of patients to take the opportunity for free consultation and operation on the cataract mission.  More than 100 patients had their free check-up led by ophthalmologists Dr. Pablico Barroga, Dr. Moll and Dr. Subia.  As a result, 30 successful screened patients will undergo the operation.

      Last March 21, 2011 Jennifer Dimatulac and Mary Jane Sembrana of Ephpheta Foundation arrived in Candon City together with City Councilor Charina Bona, MD.

    On March 22, 2011, the City of Candon Hospital has been set for the Cataract Mission.  Patients came in accompanied by their family or relatives.

The Cataract Mission volunteers, with Dr. Charina Bona and the patients.

The mission was the group effort of various partners, to wit;

1. Primarily, Ephpheta Foundation with the Foundation nurses’ Jennifer Dimatulac and Mary Jane Sembrana,
2. Northwestern Luzon Chapter of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology with the Chapter President Dr. Pablito Barroga,
3. Local Committee on Sight Preservation (LCSP) doctors: Dr. Donald Subia, Dr. Bernardino De Gracia III, Dr. Simeon Aquino
4. City of Candon Hospital and Candon City Health Officials headed by Councilor Charina Bona, MD,
5. Local Government of Candon City headed by Hon. Mayor Allen Singson,
6. Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur thru Governor Luis Chavit Singson,
7. Candon City Hospital Ophthalmologist – Dr. Sebastian Moll Jr.,
8. Provincial Government Nurses headed by Angelita Alvis together with Lester Aldrine Rayray, Daryl Rayray and Michellaine Ubaldo,Cion Reintegrado and Jessica Ularte
9. JCS Foundation Chairman & CEO Jeremias “Jerry” Singson and Staff (Nenet, Melba, Richard & Edwin).

The Cataract Mission team with the Ephpheta Foundation

       
     Mary Jane and Jennifer of Ephpheta Foundation conducted the biometry test to measure the lens of the patients to be operated.  The mission ran efficiently since each partner knew their assigned tasks for the prompt process of the cataract operation.

Mary Jane performing the biometry to measure the lens of the patients for the  operation.

    A total of 22 patients were acknowledged and successfully operated which restored their good eyesight.  At 7:00 in the evening, the mission was finished and every team was grateful.

Jennifer Dimatulac of Ephpheta Foundation on the Cataract Mission.

    After the operation day, a subsequent check up led by Dr. Pablito Barroga was held last March 23, 2011 at City of Candon Hospital.

Dr. Palito Barroga recommends the operated patients for follow up check up.

For more Cataract Mission photos, click The City of Candon Hospital

MOA Medical Mission

Magsingal District Hospital, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur
February 12, 2011

The MOA, JCS, MDH Dr. Ronald, Medical OPD Team

       We have witness once again the great efforts of the Magsingal Organization of America (MOA) as they have successfully conducted their medical mission in Magsingal District Hospital headed by Tereso Ugalino (MOA president) last February 12, 2011.

MOA President Tereso Ugalino with her wife , JCS and MDH nurses

        MOA is a charitable organization founded last July 23, 2005.  Their mission is to provide humanitarian services to the needy, underprivileged, distressed and exemplify their responsiveness to the needs of communities.  The long journey they endured together on the team was all well worth.  Their fundraiser on America would enable to help here in our province and provide medical assistance in medical needs.  Miss MOA 2010-2013 Darelle Faye Marie Panlasigui Lu showed her support to the MOA medical mission by actively taking part in the mission proper.

MOA supported the medical mission at Magsingal District Hospital

As early as 8:00 A.M., the MOA medical mission started and a teamwork of various volunteers, to wit:

1. Primarily, the Magsingal Organization of America;

2. Governor Luis Chavit Singson

3. Local Government of Magsingal headed by Mayor Arlyn Favis;

4. Magsingal District Hospital nurses and volunteers headed by Dr. Ronald R. Tobias (Chief of Hospital I);

5. Gabriela Silang General Hospital led by Dr. Carmeliza Singson (PHO II);

6. Medical- OPD team, Dr. Carmeliza Singson, Dr. Ronald R. Tobias

Dr Marissa Oandasan, Dr. Marinela Vitamog, Dr. Ma. Nuda Rachelle Tolentino, Dr. Renalyn I. Revita- Lived, Dr. Jean T. Mahon, Dr. La Pal Peredo, Dr. Pablo Quedado and Dr. Ma Elaine  Guerrero ;

7. Dental team, Dr. Van Savella, Dr. Corazon Refuerzo, Dr. Fatima Malcaba, Dr. Alicia De los Reyes, Dr. Mario Friaza, Dr. Maria Corazon Jurado and dental aides;

8. The X- ray Rad. Technician, Dominic Tipon;

9. The excision of mass operation team, Dr. Ronald Tobias and nurses;

10. The circumcision team, MDH doctors and nurses, GSGH doctors and nurses;

11. Magsingal Association of Southern California headed by Nestor Ulibas

12. Students from the College Of Nursing (University of Northern Philippines)

13. Ilocos Sur Provincial Government employees

14. JCS Foundation CEO and staff

The MOA medical mission crowded with patients and visitors

       The MOA medical mission generated a blissful mood with more than a thousand patients.  The JCS Foundation also distributed reading glasses to sight-impaired patients.
  

Nestor Ulibas with JCS on telecommunication

     Nestor Ulibas, President of Magsingal Association of Southern California provided telecommunication gadgets (intercom) for the Magsingal District Hospital which was highly utilized in the mission.  The donation empowered the hospital’s communications and information in the most convenient, efficient, and enjoyable way.

MDH Chief of Hospital , Dr. Ronald Tobias, and volunteer nurses

      The provincial government, JCS Foundation, Dr. Carmeliza Singson, Dr. Ronald Tobias and other supporters were grateful to experience the assistance brought by MOA medical mission.

Dr. Carmeliza Singson,Nestor Ulibas, MOA Tereso Ugalino, JCS

MOA medical mission has served a total of 1,177 patients;

 

Medical- OPD                                         333 patients

Pedia                                                        182

Dental (tooth extraction)                         169

Circumcision                                           82  

Distribution of reading glasses             400 recipients

X-ray                                                         5 patients

Excision of mass                                    6


For more MOA medical mission photos, click on MOA

CMMS Medical Mission

Gabriela Silang General Hospital, Vigan City

February 7 – 11, 2011



The Gabriela Silang General Hospital

The Canadian Medical Mission Society (CMMS) productively had their medical mission at Gabriela Silang General hospital last February 7 – 11, 2011 which was headed by Dr. Dan Vargas.  Since 2003, Dr. Dan Vargas was joining medical mission and now he organized Canadian Medical Mission Society where most of the 32 members are family members and close friends.  

Last February 6, 2011, 10:00 a.m., the CMMS came to Vigan City and was billeted at Vigan Plaza Hotel.  Before noon time, the group brought their medical supplies at Gabriela Silang General Hospital (GSGH) to prepare their stuffs for the mission.  Before the hard excruciating week-long mission, they toured around the Heritage City from Hidden Garden to Baluarte where they took their dinner.  After the feast, the CMMS strong-willed to return at GSGH to screen the patients that will go through to major surgical operation and they concluded at 10:00 pm then came back to hotel and steel their selves for the medical mission.

The patients of the Canadian Medical Mission Society at GSGH

February 7, 2011, the first day of the CMMS Medical Mission, the Gabriela Silang General Hospital was crowded with visitors and patients.  The services given by the CMMS were:

Medical-OPD,
Dental
          Tooth extraction
          Cleaning
          Filling (pasta)
Audiology
          Hearing aide fitting
          Audiometry
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) check-up
Major surgical operation (neck and thyroid cases)

The two (2) year old Michaela Versoza was the youngest patient and even the first patient who undertook surgical operation.  The mass in her left neck was removed in just ten (10) minutes.

JCS and CMMS Dr. Dan Vargas

From the time when CMMS medical mission started, the JCS Foundation was earnestly providing the needs of the CMMS and patients.  Hand in hand with the JCS Foundation were the following: staff, nurses and doctors of GSGH, nursing students from University of Northern Philippines and employees of the Ilocos Sur Provincial Government.  With the evident teamwork and cooperation of the CMMS, the mission was conducted smoothly since each CMMS member knew exactly their assigned tasks and duties.

The first day surgical operation of CMMS

The following were the CMMS team in charge with surgical operation:

Dr. Dan Vargas                     - Head of the CMMS medical mission

  and Otolaryngologist

Dr. Andrew Wong                 - General Surgery

Dr. Ed Jose                           - Otolaryngologist

Dr. Eli Akbari                         - Physician

Dr. Danilo Villacrusis            - Pathologist, Surgery

Dr. Naia Arafiles                   - Anaesthesiologist

Dr. Winette Tayao                 - Anaesthesiologist

Dr. Joy Bellen                        - Anaesthesiologist

Dr. Archie Carbungeal         - Surgery

Dr. Micro Galicia                   - Surgery

Rey Borge                              - Surgical Nurse

Cornelia Valencia                 - Surgical Nurse

Nowie Mejia                           - Surgical Nurse

Elsie Igualada                        - Surgical Nurse

Maria Paz Villacrusis            - Nurse

Beth Dickinson                      - Nurse

Leony Cajigas                       - Nurse

Ceasar Cajigas                     - Engineer, Support Staff

Rene Trinidad                        - Sales Agent, Support Staff

CMMS Dr. Danny Salcedo

Dental services (tooth extraction, cleaning and filling/ pasta) were delivered by:

Dr. Danilo Salcedo               - Dentist

Dr. Victor Moiseev                - Dentist

Nida Marcelo                         - Dental Nurse

            Jose Atilano III                        - Dental Nurse

CMMS Maria Greaves on Audiology

          For audio services (Hearing aide fitting, audiometry), the following were the assigned person:

Maria Greaves          - Audiometric Technician

Toni Vargas              - Nurse

       On personal note, the oscillation created from the hearing aide device sounded very wonderful and clear.  The devices were granted by CMMS audio technician Maria Greaves.

The medical-OPD by CMMS Dr. Rosemary Lim

            For Medical- OPD team:

Dr. Rosemary Lim                - Physician

Rosita Casilla                       - Nurse

          With the veteran Dr. Rosemary Lim, she has managed to assure the patients she checked-up a healthier and wealthier body with her material pieces of specialist advices.

CMMS Dr. Dan Vargas, Ears, Nose and Throat specialist

            Finally, for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) check up, the group was composed of:

Dr. Dan Vargas        - Otolaryngologist

Dr. Ed Jose               - Otolaryngologist

           Dr. Dan Vargas, in addition to normal check-ups, he offered valuable assistance and tips on how to take care of the senses connected with the ENT.

         Spouses Archt. Henry and Evelyn Mayuga were the coordinators of the CMMS medical mission while Rene Trinidad was the stock controller and Bodeng Juatco performed the documentation of the medical mission.

          Last February 9, 2011, the CMMS conducted a lecture program titled “Want to Work in North America?” at Baluarte led by Maria Paz Villacrusis, RN, a member of the BC Nurses Union (british Columbia).  The lecture was participated by various nurses and doctors in multiple fields, i.e., the academe, the government, hospitals and others.

The Farewell Dinner of CMMS and JCS Foundation

         With light rain from the cloudy sky that serves as sign of blessings, the farewell dinner party at Vigan Plaza Hotel last February 10, 2011 turned into clear and incredibly unforgettable night of Canadian Medical Mission Society and the JCS Foundation. The group experienced once again the triumph and brotherhood of the medical mission.

The flourishing CMMS medical mission had total of 471 patients from February 7- 11, 2011. There was entirety of:

243       Medical- OPD

117       Dental services

54         Audiology

36         Ears, Nose and Throat check up

21         Major surgical operations




For more CMMS medical mission photos, click on CMMS

CAUSA Medical, Dental and Surgical Mission

Cervantes, Ilocos Sur
January 30 - February 2, 2011

The beautiful Mountains of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur

“La gratitude est la mémoire du Coeur.”

     This is the most famous quotation from French Ecclesiastic Jean Baptiste Massieu.  It means, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart”. This indeed is the basis of the Medical and Surgical Mission by the Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA) last January 30 to February 2, 2011 in the upland municipality of Cervantes.

The Almachar family with Hon. Jeremias C. Singson

Trivia on the Almachars

         Mr. Demetrio Almachar, Sr., a zarzuelista from Ayusan Norte, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, became an Administrative Officer of Bessang Pass Memorial Hospital in the late 1960s.  With his call to serve this far-flung district hospital and as he value much his family, he decided to bring in his wife Precentacion, and his children in Cervantes.  The children spent their childhood in Cervantes and hence, have adapted to the culture and way of life of the town.  The children have completed both their elementary and secondary education at Cervantes.  They took up their college in Manila and after successfully taking up medicine course, the children migrated in the United States where they have started another migratory life with the whole family.

Hon. Jeremias ‘Jerry’ Singson on medical mission

Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA)

        The Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA) was organized in the United States whose most members are the doctor-children of Demetrio Sr.  With the life and memory the Almachar children have embraced in their young years, they have deemed necessary to extend back their gratitude to the people of Cervantes.  CAUSA head, spouses Dr. Steven and Mrs. Nelia Almachar-Baron, initiated pooling of resources among members for their planned medical and surgical mission in the Philippines.  With the mutual generosity of the Almachars and the CAUSA, they have brought in 46 balikbayan boxes of supplies and medicines exclusively for the mission.

Hon. Mayor Benjamin Maggay with Hon. Jerry Singson

The Mission


     Last January 30, the municipality of Cervantes conducted 3-day medical and surgical mission.  Medical and OPD consultations were conducted at the gym of the municipality, while dental and surgical operations were held at the Bessang Pass Memorial Hospital.

The mission is a collaboration of various partners, to with:

1. Principally, the Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA);
2. Local Government of Cervantes headed by Mayor Benjamin Maggay; 
3. Baguio General Hospital (BGH) headed by Dr. Pablo Candelario;
4. SLU volunteer nurses headed by anaesthesiologist Dr. Berna Grace Hanwell; 
5. Private Sales Representatives headed by Ms. Luchie Rojo; 
6. Bessang Pass Memorial Hospital and Gabriela Silang General Hospital doctor, nurses, administrative staff and technical personnel; and
7. The Jerry C. Singson Foundation, Inc. and the Committee on Health and Sanitation of the Province of Ilocos Sur

The medical and OPD consultation at Cervantes Gymnasium

The Almachar kin and cousins are the following:

1. Mrs. Nelia Almachar-Baron married to Dr. Steven Baron
2. Mrs. Edna Almachar-Agnen
3. Ms. Adelina Almachar
4. Mrs. Estelita Almachar-Gullick
5. Mrs. Felicidad Almachar-Stewart
6. Mr. Jaime Almachar
7. Mr. Demetrio Almachar, Jr.
8. Mr. Nonato Almachar
9. Mr. Medarlo Almachar
10. Mr. Amador Bondad

Mrs. Nelia Almachar Baron and Dr. Steven Baron

       Aside from the usual medical, dental and OPD consultations from the specialists, among the cases dealt were: 1. Gall bladder stones; 2. Kidney stones; 3. Hernia; 4. Thyroid (Goiter); 5. Extraction of Mass of the Ear, Neck, Chest and Legs; and 6. Audio-related (ear).

For more CAUSA photos, click on Cervantes