Lina Group of Companies 10th Medical Mission

The 10th Medical Mission of the LINA GROUP OF COMPANIES teams up with the Guiding Light Ministries of Aklan , Inc., by Rev. Ricardo Pacheco, Asian Hospital doctors and nurses headed by Dr. Orlando Diomampo; Optha Group-Infant Jesus Hospital headed by Dr. Jacinto Bautista and Dr. Edgardo Abesamis, Head Doctor of Abesamis Dental Clinic . This was in cooperation with Aklan Congressman Joeben Miraflores, Governor Carlito Marquez, and Ibajay Mayor Lulu Miraflores. The team was composed of 73 delegates for a three-day medical mission. This year's mission started on 14 July and lasted until 16 July 2010 in Ibajay, Aklan.
 
Day 1 - Ibajay, Aklan Congressman Joeben Miraflores and Mayor Lulu Miraflores welcomed the generous members of the delegates. In spite of the nine years of the mission, we expected the tenth one to be difficult. Immediately after a wonderful lunch at the congressman’s house, the team went to Ibajay District Hospital and met with Dr. Jean Gelito, Head Doctor, for the preparation of the surgery, registration, and others. Tarpaulins and tents were already set. Every year, we treat more than a thousand patients and this time numbers do not really matter when charity is in everyone’s heart.
 
Day 2 and 3 - Patients waited as early as 5:00 AM for them to be the first in line. Even if the official opening of registration is at 7:30 AM. All gathered at the tent, translators were having a hard time asking everyone to stay in one line so the registration may start. Translators were even screaming to be heard by the patients. Language is one problem here. Aklanons hardly speak Tagalog. Everyone wants to be the first in line. Thanks to some barangay police who helped the medical team in lining up everyone . Same dilemma happened at the screening area for medical/pedia, but the hospital staff helped by requesting the patients to hang around as they are called one at a time. The Dental team also had a massive accomplishment, all patiently waited for their turn.
 
It was truly a difficult day but in spite of this, it was the satisfaction of duty and a job well done that sufficed us.
 
We successfully screened a total of 1,657 patients with 536 for the medical, 681 for pedia, 330 for dental, and 110 for optha. We performed a total of 39 major surgical procedures; three for OB-gyne, 22 for minor surgery, and 11 for optha surgery. The Mission was able to attend to 1,732 patients, all are indigents and residents of the province.
 
This year’s mission was also made possible with the help of One Pharma, Metrodrug, Zuellig, and the members of the Lina Group of Companies.
 
It was an enormous success in every way imaginable! We could not stop the determination of all the volunteers. We were incredibly grateful to all the doctors, nurses, staff, and local government unit of Ibajay, Aklan, Guiding Light Ministries of Aklan group headed by Rev. Ricardo Pacheco , the LGC staff, namely: Mr. Rudy G. Fulo and Dr. Filma Juat-Herbosa. Special acknowledgment also goes to all our friends who have generously supported this activity. They all came to extend a loving hand to those acquainted with dereliction and poverty.
 
Indeed, LGC will continue to attend to those who are in need because the heart of the LGC family belongs to the less fortunate people. Thank you to our dear Chairman Alberto D. Lina and the ever supportive and helpful Mrs. Sylvia P. Lina.
 
“Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to Me." (Mt 25:40)




By: Marivic “Ambet” Cabe Soria