By SEPKOLIN WALNE
A MEDICAL outreach program treated more than 300 people at the Sir John Guise Stadium last Sunday.
The outreach program was collaborated by the Philippines Embassy, Filipino Association of PNG, National Capital District and the NCD Provincial Health Authority.
It aimed to improve health services and provide care to the vulnerable and under-privileged people in the nation’s capital.
Free medical services were provided for consultations, minor treatments and general health checks, HIV awareness and education on lifestyle disease.
Other services included eye tests, dental check-ups, cardiac consultations, tuberculosis (TB) screening, hemoglobin checks, free tetanus vaccinations for girls and women aged 15-44.
A walk-in patient, Jacinta Jimal, from East Sepik who resides in Korobosea said: “I heard about the outreach through a family member and I want to expressed my gratitude to the friendly Filipino doctors who provided me with medical consultation and treatment.
“This kind of joint free medical outreach program is very helpful, as attending private clinics in Port Moresby is often expensive for many.”
Philippines Embassy consul Jomar Sadie said: “This service both celebrates and strengthens the deep and enduring friendship between PNG and the Philippines – a relationship built on mutual respect and people -to-people connections that have flourished for over four decades.”
NCD Provincial Health Authority acting deputy director of public health, Janet Pongine, highlighted the collaboration between the Filipino Association of PNG, Philippines Embassy, NCD Governor and the National Capital District Commission. “Public Health Division providing a valuable platform to raise awareness on HIV, lifestyle diseases, and the increasing rates of TB in Port Moresby,” she said.