Paoay: About 1,000 residents, mostly senior citizens and children, in Paoay, Ilocos Norte on Thursday availed of free diagnostic tests and medications courtesy of a foundation assisted by visiting US-based Filipino medical workers. For three days in a row, volunteers and organizers of Hisfootsteps Foundation, together with the Philippine Nurses Association in Tampa Bay, Florida and the Ilocano USA in Gulf Coast, have been reaching out to underserved communities in Laoag, Batac, and Paoay to provide free medical services.

According to Philippines News Agency, local health volunteers also provided residents with free consultations, medicines, and various laboratory examinations such as uric/hemoglobin/cholesterol tests and eye checkups, among others. Upon hearing from a neighbor that a medical mission is taking place in Nagbacalan village in Paoay, Jarmaine Tabili immediately rushed to the site and inquired about the free services available.

“I decided to avail of tooth extraction because I was informed they have about seven dentists who are on call,” she said in an interview. Tabili was among the early registrants who availed of tooth extraction along with other village residents who patiently waited for their turn to avail of various medical services, such as minor surgeries, dental, optometry with eyeglasses, circumcision, gynecology, cardiology, and free prescription drugs.

Paoay Mayor Shiella Galano thanked the group for their commitment to uplifting the health and well-being of the Ilocano community. “We are grateful for initiatives like this, bringing essential medical services closer to Filipinos, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged,” she said, pointing out that providing access to quality healthcare to the people, particularly in underserved communities, has been a challenge to the government.

In a statement, the organizers said their “mission is to offer free medical consultations, treatments, and preventative care to individuals who may not have access to regular healthcare.” They emphasized their commitment to improving the well-being of every patient by offering compassionate care from dedicated medical professionals.