Free medical services to be held on March 13

In line with the celebration of the 102nd birth anniversary of Doña Josefina "Inday Pining" Rivera Gullas, the matriarch of the University of the Visayas, the Vicente Gullas Memorial Hospital and the Inday Pining Family Medical Clinic will offer free medical services to indigents on March 13 from 8 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

The VGMH's Department of Opthalmology in cooperation with the Philippine Cataract Foundation will conduct free cataract operations to patients who will pass the screening tests, which will be done on that day.

In a press statement, VGMH assured members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. of a "package deal" program for those who will undergo the operation with no charges from their PhilHealth benefits. In cooperation with VGMH Eye Care, the Gullas Medical Center is also planning to continue the program after March 13.

Meanwhile, the Department of Aesthetic Surgery, with the assistance of the Pediatrics Department, will also conduct examinations on patients with congenital harelip. Those who will pass the screening will be referred for free operation. There will also be nutritional screening and feeding programs to be spearheaded by the Pediatrics Department and Nestlé Philippines.

The half-day activity will also include free bone screening for those 40 years old and above by the Orthopedics Department, while free consultation and cervical pap smear will be conducted by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.

Patients can also avail themselves of free blood sugar and cholesterol exams to be done by the Departments of Family Medicine and Internal Medicine. The Department of Surgery will also have its share of giving free services by performing free circumcision. - Liv G. Campo/LPM