The medical mission at Kalumpang Elementary School in Marikina City's first district organized by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III (Pimentel's Office)

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III led a free multi-specialty medical mission and surgical screening in Marikina City, which benefitted about 1,000 residents.

In partnership with Manila Doctors Hospital, the event took place on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Kalumpang Elementary School in Marikina City's first district.

Consultations in ophthalmology, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine were provided for free.

Free screenings were also available for cataracts, glaucoma, myoma, cleft lip and palate, goiter, hernia, and gallstones. 

The residents also benefited from a wide range of health services, including eye refraction, ear cleaning, electrocardiograms (ECGs), chest X-rays, and free medications.

Jill Alvarez, head of Corporate Sustainability Initiatives at Manila Doctors Hospital, said they partnered with Pimentel after a careful process. 

“Manila Doctors Hospital has been here for 68 years and the last thing that we want is to be connected with somebody whose name is a bit unscrupulous. So we are very careful,” said Alvarez.

“When they presented to us what they wanted to do, nothing really political or nothing that’s really focused on himself, but just really just to serve the community, so we said yes,” she added.

Alvarez said there is a holistic system in the Pimentel-led medical mission as patients in need of surgical services were also screened.

“We make a list of those who are screened today, and then we will be calling them in the next few months so that they can receive the crucial surgical intervention that they need,” she said.

Last July, Pimentel and the Manila Doctors served 1,600 Marikenyos in a medical and surgical mission held in Barangay Malanday.