DZRH Operation Tulong, in partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital conducted a feeding and medical mission from January 10 to 13 at the UST Practice Gym as part of the "Alaga at Tulong Tomasino" program.
Patients were given free consultation and medication for ailments like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, skin disease, eye conditions, and pediatric illnesses.
According to UST Hospital Chief Executive Officer Fr. Julius Factora, O.P., the medical mission happens annually and is open for pedia, adults, and senior citizens, as well as patients experiencing any health cases, such as pulmonary, dermatology, and surgical cases like ophthalmology.
"Ideally, dapat annual kaya lang noong pandemic medyo nahinto...noong pre-pandemic, hindi siya masyadong nagawa so medyo big occasion ito ngayon dahil it's been five or six years na nagkaroon ng medical mission na katulad nito," he said.
Moreover, UST Hospital Medical Director Dra. Charito Malong-Consolacion, MD, MHA, said that the medical mission aims to give back health service to people, give them confidence regarding hospitals, and make them that it is already safe to consult for their health.
"Another way is to inform the public din na ang UST Hospital ay handang tumulong sa mga taong nangangailangan ng affordable at safe na konsultasyon and medical management," she said.
"Gusto po namin na at least papaano, maging aware ang public na ang UST Hospital ay hindi lamang private hospital kundi kami po ay bukas sa mga taong nangangailangan," she added.
Consolacion also said that they have clinical and treatment packages that can help the patients' treatments, whether surgical or medical, that are affordable and can reach their financial capacity.
Meanwhile, services for their medical mission included general surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, thoracic, cardiac, and vascular surgery, urology, gynecology, and ear, nose, and throat surgery.
The medical and surgical mission was made possible through the collaboration of UST Hospital, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UST Medical Alumni Association in America, Titans USA/Philippines, Ohana Hawaii Medical Missions, UST Medicine Class 1980, and Medical Missions Inc.
