PNG Filipino Association runs free medical program
About forty-four medical staff from the NCD Provincial Health Authority joined volunteer Filipino doctors, nurses, and health workers from private hospitals and clinics across Port Moresby conducted a free medical program at the weekend.
This was made possible through a joint effort to improve health services and provide care to the vulnerable and underserved population in the city.
The joint free medical outreach mission focused on vital health awareness and provided essential clinical services, including free medical consultations, minor treatments, general health checks, HIV awareness, and education on lifestyle diseases.
Other services offered included eye tests, dental check-ups, cardiac consultations, tuberculosis [TB] screening, hemoglobin checks, free tetanus vaccinations for girls and women aged 15–44, and a Port Moresby General Hospital blood bank booth, which received confirmed donations from 30 blood donors.
A walk-in patient, Jacinta Jimal from East Sepik who resides in Korobosea, said she heard about the outreach through a family member. She was grateful of the friendliness by the Filipino doctors who provided her with medical consultation and treatment.
She said, "this kind of free medical outreach program is very helpful, as going to private clinics in Port Moresby is expensive".
The Philippine Embassy, Consul Jomar Sadie, said that the service both celebrates and strengthens the deep friendship between Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, a relationship built on respect and people-to-people connections that has grown for over four decades.
The full-day program saw the treatment of over 300 individuals from across Port Moresby.
NCD Provincial Health Authority Acting Deputy Director of Public Health, Janet Pongine, said the program provided their Public Health Division a valuable platform to raise awareness on HIV, lifestyle diseases, and the increasing rates of tuberculosis in Port Moresby.
