Pantukan gets 1st ultrasound machine

ST. AUGUSTINE Gold & Copper Ltd (SAGCL) recently donated an ultrasound machine, the first of its kind, to the Compostela Valley Provincial Hospital (CPVH) in Pantukan.

SAGCL is the Toronto-listed mining firm that is working to develop the King-king Copper- Gold Project (KCGP) in the municipality of Pantukan in Compostela Valley.

The donation was in response to the growing number of patients, mostly pregnant women, coming not just from Pantukan but also from neighboring places like barangays Pintatagan and Puntalinao of Banay-banay in Davao Oriental province, who seek out abdominal diagnostic examinations.

According to Dr. Royce Garcia, Medical Officer II of CVPH, the machine will definitely be a big help for the community because patients will no longer have to go all the way to Tagum City for their examinations.

He added it will cater to the needs of patients and will also help save on the cost of fuel for ambulances transporting patients to Tagum City.

This helps CVPH's budget and allows them to direct the savings to other areas of patient care. SAGCL purchased an ambulance for the Pantukan community in 2011, has trained local residents as emergency medical technicians, and operates the ambulance in conjunction with the volunteer emergency medical technicians to provide emergency medical services to Pantukan.

Dr. Garcia also revealed that this is not the first time that CVPH has benefited from St. Augustine's medial donations. The company was also the benefactor in the installation of air conditioning units for the hospital's dental clinic, ultrasound room, and the x-ray room.

According to Clyde Gillespie, director of Environmental Permitting for SAGC/KCGP, the company recognizes the need for "active community engagement, particularly in areas that are of primary concern to the people. This includes health, livelihood, housing, employment and education, which is where we want to focus our efforts."

He added: "The project cannot be successful without the support and participation of the community around it. We know this, which is why we are building strong relationships with the people; relationships that are built on genuine trust, a deeper understanding of our different cultures and a sincere desire to better the lives of the people of Pantukan."

St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. is currently studying the feasibility of mining the King-king copper and gold deposit in Pantukan through extensive environmental and social baseline studies, community consultations, exploratory drillings and other related studies within the area. (PR)