Health lectures can be considered prevention measures and are “very desirable,” Consul General Wilfredo DL. Maximo said.
Health instruction should be given prior to conducting a free clinic, Maximo said, but added that health volunteers are likely to examine the patients right away.
“Nobody is available to do the health lecture,” he said.
However, some volunteers gave brief health lectures during the health screening.
During the actual eye examination, Eric Mahinay of Hardt Eye Clinic gave patients some valuable health tips to prevent eye ailments.
Sunday’s free health screening drew the participation of hundreds of Filipino workers on island.
The health screening was provided by a volunteer medical team and Hardt Eye Clinic personnel.
Maximo said more health volunteers offered their free services during the health screening held on the ground floor of the Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe.
Two medical practitioners joined the health volunteers.
About 304 workers were given blood pressure and blood sugar examination while 85 had their vision checked.
The health screening was the last for 2008 and the next is scheduled on the first Sunday of March next year, Maximo said.
“It was a good turnout and we are hoping that more volunteers will join the next free health screening,” he added.
The event was also supported by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office headed by Joan Lourdes D. Lavilla and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration headed by Reynaldo D. Tayag.
Maximo said the program will continue every year to raise awareness regarding diabetes prevention and control, hypertension prevention and vision pressure correction.
