180 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED FREE VISION SCREENING ON PRIMARY EYE HEALTH CARE

Eye care on children, senior citizens, and Differently Abled Person (DAP)

The Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich, through the Municipal Health Office (MHO), launched a free Vision Screening on Primary Eye Health Care under the Bukidnon Eye Health Program at Bahay Tulugan, Norminco Compound, Barangay Tankulan, on February 4, 2025.

The screening was conducted by a team composed of the Provincial Eye Health Team, MHO personnel, and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). They were able to accommodate 180 patients, including individuals with visual impairments, minor eye issues (common among children), and those at risk of eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma (common among senior citizens). Before the vision screening, registrants first underwent an assessment of their vital signs and were tested for hypertension and diabetes through PhilPEN (Philippine Package of Essential Non-Communicable Diseases Interventions).

After the initial assessments, an introduction to the program was given by Dr. Raima Marjian L. Sucor, the Provincial Eye Health Team Focal Person from the Bukidnon Provincial Health Office.

“Ang Fred Hollows Foundation gyud ang nag-support ani financially para maka conduct mi ani nga vision screening activity. Priority gyud namo ang mas daot og mata, kanang dili na kaayo makabasa, di na kaayo maka-function sa ilang everyday nga ginabuhat tungod sa daot nga mata nila. Ang priority pod sa foundation nga matabangan ang mga igsuon nato nga IPs, and aside ana mga senior citizens pod ug mga PWD,” stated Dr. Sucor.

Following the introduction, the vision screening commenced, with children being screened first. The purpose of the screening was to detect visual impairments early to prevent further complications.

One of the beneficiaries was Richardlyn Roses from Camp JMC, Barangay Agusan Canyon, who brought her 7-year-old daughter, a Grade One student, for screening. “Opportunity naman pod ni nga ma-screening siya kay sa karon nga panahon babad biya sa gadget ang mga bata. Nalipay ko kay as parent, maniguro man pod gyud ta kay ingon ani nga opportunity naay free, so nalipay ko kay ang result sa iyang [screening], is 90% okay siya, then 10% daw mao tong naay nakita but okay raman daw nga di sa siya mag glasses kay basin mas ma compromise pa og ipa-glasses,” said Roses. Her daughter is in a Special Education class, where students are encouraged to undergo vision screening.

Meanwhile, Conrado Pinohon, a senior citizen from Barangay Kalugmanan, had a different case. He became completely blind after suffering a mild stroke. His wife, Versusa Pinohon, managed to bring him to the screening with assistance from the Barangay Council of Kalugmanan. “One year kapin na ni siya di pakakita. Permiro ani niya iyang isa ka mata pakakita pa, pagka mild stroke niya napalong na dayon ang iyang panan-aw. Ipa-adto kuno mi sa Malaybalay [City], ipa-opera kuno ni kay libre daw kini nga surgery. Ug libre pod among sakyanan pag-adto, sa among kapitan sa Kalugmanan, si Kapitan Menelio Goayan,” she shared. Conrado was screened by Dr. Nur Mahnood, a Manolo Fortich Rural Health Physician, along with Registered Nurse Maria Elena A. Dandasan from PHO Bukidnon.

During the screening, members of the Sangguniang Bayan visited Bahay Tulugan to check on the patients. Among those present were Coun. Joy L. Cordovez, Coun. Rina E. Quiño, Coun. Christy “Tata” Leparto, Coun. Raquel Abales, and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Princess CJ B. Padin.