TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Approximately a thousand indigent and underprivileged residents in the province received free medical and dental services through a joint outreach mission led by private practitioners and the provincial government earlier today, February 16.
The outreach program was spearheaded by Dr. Joy Gunnawa-Soriano, a US-based UNICEF and Global Dental Relief (GDR) practitioner, in collaboration with the Provincial Health Office, Kalinga Provincial Hospital, Kalinga Medical Society, Kalinga Dental Chapter, and the Provincial Government.
The outreach mission allocated 1,000 slots for both medical and dental services, with approximately 466 individuals provided with free medical services such as consultations, laboratory services, x-rays, ECGs, and ultrasounds, while 403 individuals received dental services such as tooth extractions and fillings.
According to Dr. Gunnawa-Soriano, this outreach activity is one of her initiatives to continue her mission to help the underprivileged in the country, especially in her home province, Kalinga.
“This was really my personal initiative, and from my friends all over the world who contributed in any way they could. I travel with Global Dental Relief, so kunak nga apay ngay nga haan nga mabalin nga jay nagapuwak nga ili (Kalinga), syempre priority’k met ah,” she said.
On top of the medical services, they also provided free medicines, vitamins, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to the beneficiaries.
Their succeeding missions are scheduled in one of the schools in the city and in the municipality of Lubuagan next week. By Ruth Cupang