Tuesday, July 08, 2008 PMA to resume medical missions By Jay Dooma Balnig
PHILIPPINE Medical Association (PMA) PIO Doctor Mike Aragon recently confirmed the resumption of their medical missions for the Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) affected areas.
Earlier, Task Force Panay chairman, Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias appealed before the PMA and Iloilo Medical Society (IMS) to continue their noble service for the victims of the typhoon.
The PMA suspended its medical mission in the Jaro Covered Gym due to a misunderstanding of a memorandum issued by the Department of Health Western Visayas (DOH-6) Regional Director Lydia Depra-Ramos that the PMA and IMS should first adhere to the guidelines for the conduct of medical missions.
One of the provisions of the said guidelines states that the organizer must first seek a permit from the DOH before conducting any medical mission.
However, due to the situation where an urgent medical mission is needed for the typhoon victims, the organizers were not able to secure any permit from DOH.
At the peak of the said guideline controversy, Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. appealed to PMA to continue their work. He is ready to face the sanction himself if there is one.
Tupas wanted his people in the province to avail the free services.
The missions will be done in the 10 towns of Iloilo and Aklan. (JDB)
