In time for the celebration of Women’s Month, more than 2,200 women health volunteers in Pampanga received free diagnostic services during a medical mission organized by Governor Dennis Pineda on Tuesday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

The beneficiaries were Nanay Community Workers (NCWs) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in the province.

In her speech, Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, who champions the provincial government’s Alagang Nanay Preventive Health Care program, said: “Ang gusto ko, para sa akin, ang celebration ng Women’s Month ay ‘yong kailangan, lahat ng mga kababaihan ay malusog at nakasisiguro akong walang sakit, kaya medical mission [ang ginawa ni governor] (I personally want women to be healthy and without any disease so the governor held this medical mission to celebrate Women’s Month).”

She said, however, health screening is not only held during Women’s Month.

“We hold regular medical missions for our cabalens (provincemates),” she said.

Senator Francis Tolentino, who was present during the opening of the medical mission, hailed Pampanga leaders for being No. 1 in various fields.

“Number 1 na nagpatupad ng Covid-19 vaccination ang Pampanga; number 1 na nagko-comply sa Universal Healthcare Law, Pampanga; at makikita po natin (Pampanga was No. 1 in implementing Covid-19 vaccination; No. 1 in complying with the Universal Healthcare Law; and as we can see), highest vaccination rate among most populous provinces awarded by the DOH last December 22, 2022; outstanding performance award for reporting risk and outbreaks of communicable diseases, Pampanga. So, ang ibig sabihin, ang liderato ng Pampanga, sa pangunguna nina Governor at Vice Governor Pineda, ay binibigyan ng prayoridad ang inyong kalusugan (it means that the leadership of Pampanga led by Governor at Vice Governor Pineda gives priority to your health),” the senator noted.

Meanwhile, the governor urged the NCWs and BHWs to identify those in need of medical assistance at the onset of any disease.

“Please prioritize those showing signs of early stages of ailments so we can help in the treatment before they get severely sick,” he said.

The 2,200 volunteers availed of consultations, pap smear test, breast examination, cervical X-ray, dental extraction and other laboratory tests in mobile clinics set up by the provincial capitol, the Lab for All program and the Department of Health.

The NCWs and BHWs also availed of free reading glasses, medicines, food packs and cash.

Rhodora David, an NCW in Porac town, said, “Malaking tulong po ito sa amin ang mga kababaihan lalo na po sa aming mga widow at solo parents na walang ibang tumutulong kung hindi sina Nanay Vice Governor at Gov. Delta. Ramdam na ramdam ko po ang women’s month (This is a huge help for women like us, especially those who of us who are widows and solo parents who do not receive from anyone except Nanay (Mother) Vice Governor and Governor Delta. I could very much feel Women’s Month).” (PNA)