CLARK FREEPORT -- A Clark-based foundation recently donated P1.5 million worth of medical equipment and supplies to hospitals in Candaba town.

Widus Foundation Inc. (WFI) donated the medical supplies to the Candaba Municipal Infirmary and three other rural health units during the first leg of its Medical Equipment Donation and Supplies (Meds) campaign last week.

The medical donation included laptop computers with printers, three radioisotope heater units, automated external defibrillator manual, cardiac monitor defibrillator, binocular microscopes, bassinets, delivery tables, suction machines and nebulizers, among others.

WFI Executive Director Neki Liwanag, Widus General Manager Tarek Aouini, Widus Human Resources Director Ana Christi Galura and WFI Manager Ronnel Golimlim led the official turnover of the donations to Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque and Vice Mayor Michael Sagum.

Liwanag, who recognized the medical challenges in Candaba, hoped that the foundation's initial efforts could help improve the delivery of medical services to the public especially to the indigent families of the community.

"Widus believes that basic and quality healthcare should be accessible to all regardless of financial and social status. That is why we strive to strengthen our local medical facilities through Meds in order to help bring high value medical assistance to those in need," Liwanag said.

After getting a boost through the Meds project while undergoing expansion funded by the Department of Health, the Candaba Municipal Infirmary aims to qualify the infirmary for a Level 1 District Hospital by the end of the year.

"We are very thankful to WFI and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation for their sincere generosity and for choosing Candaba as the first beneficiary of their MEDS program. Our dream to qualify the infirmary as a Level 1 District Hospital now seems possible," Maglanque said.

He also assured WFI that its donation will be used to provide better medical services to his indigent constituents.