500 people avail of medical service

OVER 500 indigent residents coming from this city’s different villages--young and old--trooped to the Plaza Pilar on Tuesday morning to avail of free medical and dental services in an outreach activity dubbed “Servicio Medical na Fiesta Pilar.”

Mayor Celso Lobregat expressed elation that many people heeded the City Government’s call to participate and join in the different activities lined up for this year’s Fiesta Hermosa such as the Servicio Medical.

Lobregat said the holding of the medical outreach program is a way of thanking Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar in whose honor the city is celebrating Fiesta Hermosa.

Lobregat together with City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos and Councilor Rodolfo Lim made the rounds of the Plaza Pilar Park to greet and assist people wanting to avail of the different medical services offered.

Private and City Government doctors jointly offered specialty clinics on pediatrics, optha/ENT, rheumatology, gynecology, minor surgery for cyst removal, diabetes screening and consultation, pulmonology, cardiology, dermatology, general consultation, dental services and surgical evaluation.

Other services included cholesterol screening, urine screen test and blood typing.

The Rotary Club of Zamboanga sponsored the feeding program for street kids and young patients who also received free toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The Zamboanga City Optical also offered free reading eye glasses for indigent patients.
Agbulos said most of those who sought consultation and given medicines complained of common ailments such as respiratory tract infections, skin allergies, while several others availed of minor surgery for cyst removal.

As of 11 a.m., over 500 people with various health complaints have been registered by the City Health Office, said Agbulos.

He said the holding of the Servicio Medical during Fiesta Hermosa shows gratitude, love and devotion to the La Virgen del Pilar. (Bong Garcia)