SCH–Calbayog sails through two eventful months

We had many activities in February and March.  We celebrated the heart month with so much joy, laughter and lots of input.  We began the celebration of the World Day of the Sick on February 11 with a Mass for the sick at St. Camillus Hospital.  This was followed by the visitation of patients and the distribution of love offerings to them.  This activity was sponsored by the hospital personnel.

On the same day, we listened to a series of talks. Ms. Raquel of the Philippine Heart Center gave a talk on “Dialysis and Some Common Kidney Problems” in the morning.   Dr. Jennifer Chua, MD, FPCP of Cardinal Santos Hospital, Manila gave an input on infectious diseases in the afternoon, and discussed urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria during the Scientific Meeting in the evening. The day culminated with laughter and bonding, when the new king and queen of hearts, the ambassadors of goodwill, were crowned.

On February 13, Fr. Jaime Roa, MI, enthusiastically organized a “Walk for a Cause.” The hospital personnel took a morning walk from 5:00 to 6:00 am starting from St. Joseph Parish and winding up at St. Camillus Hospital. We made the day more meaningful with our free clinic which accommodated 75 patients.

On February 28, the assembly of the St. Camillus Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was conducted and with the assistance of Fr. Luigi Galvani, MI, 414 families made their renewal of membership and more than 150 new applicants registered for 2009.

On March 2, Atty. Mendoza, BIR Regional Director of Bicol Region, gave a talk to our hospital personnel, emphasizing everyone’s active participation in our service to the sick. The speaker reawakened our sense of belongingness through a review of our institutional core values, vision and mission.

On March 15-17, Fr. Ivo Anselmi, MI, made his pastoral visit to the Camillian Community in Calbayog, also known as the Holy Family Community.  The hospital personnel also had the opportunity to be with him. He spent some time with them which included the celebration of the Mass.

As part of the continuous updating of our health-care providers, the St. Camillus Hospital also conducted a seminar on “Arterial Blood Gases Interpretation and Fighting the Thread of Multi-Drug Resistance and Extreme-Drug Resistance Tuberculoses” which was conducted by Dr. Ferdinand B. Bendia, our own Consultant Pulmonologist.

With March coming to a close, we look forward to more outreach programs this April. Madamu nga salamat!