Ascension Parish Extends Medical Services to GKKs

In consonance with the Year of the Laity, the Ascension of the Lord Parish commemorated its 12th Parochial Anniversary / 13th Parochial Fiesta with the theme “Celebrating the Giftedness of the Laity in the Parish” on June 1, 2014.  Various activities to recognize and highlight the talents of the laity were successfully planned and carried out such as the Sportsfest, Parish Night Program, Kainan sa Daan, and Pista sa Nayon among others.

The major event of the fiesta, however, was the launching of the Extension of Medical Services to the GKKs during the 7:00 am mass.  The conduct of Medical Services every Sunday morning at the parish clinic by the Parish Social Action Ministry (PSAM) has been going on for years.  However, it has been noted that there are many who cannot avail of this service because of financial constraints, inaccessibility, inability to leave their house chores, or a lack of understanding on the necessity of attending to their physical health and wellness.  As an expression of its love and compassion for the needy and the disadvantaged, the parish will now extend the medical/dental services directly to the GKKs.  These health services will be brought quarterly to the GKKs by the Parish Medical Apostolate (PMA), an organized team of medical health workers who consider this an avenue for Stewardship – a responsibility over God’s gifts of talents and favors – glorifying God for His generosity by serving the least of our brothers and sisters.

With a team of 12 medical doctors, 6 medical technologists, 12 nurses, ophthalmologists, a midwife, a pharmacist, a nutritionist, and even 6 haircutters, they trooped to San Isidro GKK at Matina Pangi to conduct their medical services. The team was also assisted by the PSAM workers, PSAs (Pangulo sa Alagad) and Caritas volunteers.

A total of 323 adults and children were treated for various health concerns – 77 of which were examined by ophthalmologists and given free reading glasses, 5 were examined by the Ear-Nose-Throat Specialist, 18 by the OB/Gyn, 15 for dental services, and 84 availed of the free haircut.

 With this activity, the parish was able to deliver the health programs to the GKKs wherein most of the members have limited access to seek professional consultations in hospitals, and at the same time, strengthened the sense of community service among its parishioners.  Clearly, the parish fiesta theme was successfully well observed!