San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora spearheaded the city government's latest initiatives aimed at improving the health and wellness of its residents as part of its week-long celebration of the Wattah Wattah Festival commemorating the Feast of its patron saint, St. John the Baptist.
The HOPE Mobi-Clinic, in partnership with the Medical City, offers free digital mammography and consultations to women aged 50-64, who have controlled comorbidities, no known breast mass, and a family history of breast cancer. A total of 16 patients participated in its pilot run.
“Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa Medical City sa programang ito. Ito po ay bahagi ng ating adbokasiya na mabigyan ang ating mga kababaihan ng tamang kalusugan at edukasyon patungkol sa sakit ng breast cancer at tamang diagnostic at testing (I am grateful to the Medical City for supporting us in this program. This is part of our advocacy to provide our female San Juaneños proper health and education about breast cancer as well as free diagnostic and testing)," Zamora said.
He added that in case their test results were not favorable, the city government and the Medical City are prepared to assist them.
"In the coming weeks, the mobile clinic will be scheduled in different barangays so women who match the qualifications are encouraged to sign up and register to their barangays to get a slot," the mayor said.
On March 13, the city government, together with the Embassy of Israel, Makati Medical Center Foundation, and Operation Blessing, spearheaded Project ISHA aimed at improving the health and wellness of Filipino women and promote cervical and breast cancer awareness.
Derived from the word "Isha" which means "woman" in Hebrew, the ISHA Project was launched in 2022 with the primary goal of serving as an efficient and effective tool for responding to the health and wellness needs of Filipinas who have limited access to health services particularly tests that help detect cervical and breast cancer.
During the event, a total of 70 women-beneficiaries were provided with free PAP Smear, breast exam, and consultation in celebration of Women’s Month. Those who tested positive were jointly helped by the Makati Medical Center Foundation and Operation Blessing in seeking treatment.
Blood donation drive
Zamora also led the city's "Dugo ng San Juaneño, Para sa San Juaneño" blood donation drive where residents between 18 and 60 years old, with a clean bill of health, were invited to donate blood.
A total of 120 blood bags were collected in the said program.
According to the city government, the bloodletting activity is done every quarter in the city to ensure that there is enough blood supply for San Juaneños for free. This will help them save money that they can use for other hospital expenses.
“Sa lahat po ng nag-aalay ng dugo, maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. You are all heroes and we thank you for your blood donation. Yung dugo pong inyong iniaalay, ito po ang gagamitin natin kapag merong San Juanenong nangangailangan ng dugo. Ang lahat ng bag ng dugo na makukuha natin ay iimbakin natin upang kung may mangangailangan ay dito rin po tayo kukuha ng supply (To everyone who donated their blood, thank you very much. You are all heroes and we thank you for donating your blood. The blood that you've donated will be used for San Juaneños who will be in need of blood. All blood bags that we have collected will be properly stored for use whenever a resident will need it)," Zamora said.