Sunday, April 13, 2008 KDF extends medical services to indigents
SOME indigents in the province with disabilities would now be able to walk free and smile with one of the newest advocacy groups here now sweeping tangible results.
Unlike other self-proclaimed advocacy groups, this one knows how to "walk the talk."
Aside from providing free prostheses (artificial legs) and wheelchairs to indigents with leg disabilities, the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) is now offering cleft pallet and lip surgery to deserving indigents from all across the province.
The KDF, an organization of Kapampangans based outside of the province and abroad, which started its mantra of "Walking Free Pampanga" late last year initiated the program of providing free prosthesis (artificial legs) with the help of the Physicians for Peace to indigents all across the province.
The group distributes the artificial legs every first Saturday of the month, while the program later branched out into giving wheelchairs through the help of Operation Blessing, the social arm of Seven Hundred Club.
Now the KDF would be targeting on cleft pallet and lip surgery for indigents. According to Sylvia Ordonez, one of the officers of KDF, the program aims to provide medical help to one of the province's major medical concerns.
"We invite town and barangay officials to help us in identifying possible beneficiaries," Ordonez said, adding that the KDF would appreciate coordination with local officials.
KDF President Benny Ricafort said the free operations would run from July 2 to 4 at the Mother Theresa of Calcutta Medical Center in Barangay Maimpis here.
Ricafort added that people willing to avail of the many medical services of KDF should coordinate with the KDF through the Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop).
He added that applicants should bring documents like medical recommendation from a doctor and certificate of indigence.
KDF and provincial officials are set to meet on April 25 to finalize the details of the free operations.
Since its initial inception, the KDF was able to screen 252 individuals with leg disabilities.
Around 135 have qualified for the prosthesis program with 47 already given the artificial legs and eight have been adjusted accordingly while 41 of the 252 where given wheelchairs and 24 will be given the same pending submission of their requirements.
KDF is targeting 1,000 wheelchairs to be given across the province, and make all people with leg disabilities mobile by 2010 all the while providing other medical and social services to indigents of the province.
Ricafort added that KDF is accepting any support from other civic organizations in terms of logistics and manpower.
For invites, comments, suggestions, violent reactions, indignant rebuttals and what-have-you email: ianocampoflora@yahoo.com or call/text (09275425466). (IOF)
