CLARK FREEPORT -- Helping Marawi City, honoring the Philippine national hero, and announcing the upcoming launch of a worldwide distribution of rehabilitated heart pacemakers.
These were the highlights of the recent one-week visit of World Medical Relief, Inc. (WMRI) President and CEO George Samson in the country.
Samson, a Kapampangan, has committed to help rehabilitate war-torn Marawi City as the Michigan-based charitable institution continues to fulfill its mission to “help God’s sick poor.”
The Filipino head of WMRI made the announcement during Friday’s Balitaan of the Capampangan in Media, Inc. and Clark Development Corporation inside Clark Freeport.
“We will be sending 20 containers to help in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi hospitals,” Samson said during the media forum. The shipment of containers is being facilitated by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
The containers will be loaded with various hospital equipment like X-Rays, cardiac monitors, operating room tables, surgical tools, beds, and scopes, as well as assorted medical supplies.
They are expected to arrive in the Philippines in the next few months. One 40-foot long container could carry hospital equipment worth $300,000 to $500,000.
In a separate report by Dr. David Zarate, WMRI Ambassador of Health in the Philippines, the 64-year old charitable institution has previously donated medical equipment to Mindanao region, including the SMD General Hospital in Marawi City. The report stated that the Philippines has been a recipient of about $500 million worth of medical equipment and supplies since 1994.
Similarly, Samson has also committed to help the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan De Oro. The pledge was made during his courtesy call on Senate President Aquilino Pimentel with BB International Foundation (BBIF) Chairman Irineo Alvaro and Senior Adviser Abel Manliclic.
Alvaro, whose BBIF is also immersed in various corporate social responsibility projects like medical missions and scholarship projects, lauded WMRI efforts to reach as many individuals in various countries.
“It is amazing how an organization like WMRI can help needy people. Its mission is indeed life changing,” Alvaro said.
During the visit at the office of Pimentel, Samson also announced that WMRI will be officially launching the distribution of rehabilitated heart pacemakers under the “My Heart, Your Heart” program in cooperation with the University of Michigan Cardio Vascular Center. WMRI is set to distribute to indigent patients all over the world some 63,000 recycled pacemaker units. Brand new units costs about $10,000 to $25,000 each when purchased in the United States.
While in the Philippines, Samson handed a brand new unit to Kim Vergel Cudia at the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center in Angeles City last week.
During his weeklong visit, Samson was also accorded the rare privilege to pay homage to Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal. He led wreath laying ceremonies at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park together with Zarate and Penelope Belmonte, executive director of National Parks Development Committee.