UERM-MAASC performs humanitarian medical missions in Bangued, Abra

LOS ANGELES – After two devastating earthquakes centered in the region of Abra, residents needed some relief. About forty doctors, nurses, and paramedical personnel mostly from Los Angeles, California and belonging mostly to the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay-Medical Alumni Association of Southern California (UERM-MAASC) joined some local volunteers and performed medical mission, gift giving and feeding programs for the indigent children and families in the municipality of Bangued in the province of Abra. For three straight days – January 31 to February 2 – remote barangays in the municipality of Bangued, namely Bgy. Banacao, Bgy. Sagap and Bgy. Calaba, were served by the medical mission team. A total of 887 patients were seen and were given free medications for chronic problems like diabetes, hypertension and arthritis, as well as chronic pulmonary conditions like COPD and asthma. Antibiotics were also provided for those with current infections. All patients were given at least a month’s supply of multivitamins. Five hundred underserved children participated in the feeding program and received McDonald’s meals, toys, multivitamins, hygiene and dental kits, plus 5 kilos of rice for