ThyroMobile Medical Mission Launch in Capiz and Antique

Stranded! Force majeure! But the show must go on!

That was the situation which the ThyroMobile faced in its journey to Capiz and Antique when an unwanted “guy” named Egay came along and disrupted neatly-laid plans.

Typhoon Egay brought about monsoon rains preventing sea travel for the Thyromobile van to cross from Batangas port to Oriental Mindoro to Panay island. But even without the van itself, the Thyromobile as a “CONCEPT” proceeded in providing capacity-building to healthcare professionals, and thyroid health services to women afflicted with Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) in the two provinces.

The Health Centrum in Roxas City was the venue for the Thyromobile Event in Capiz. THC President & CEO Abundio A Balgos welcomed the guests and participants while Councilor Paul Baticados spoke on behalf of Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas.

Some 90 participants, mostly barangay health workers and nutrition volunteers received scientific information on thyroid disorders and practical tips in the recognition of common thyroid abnormalities like goiter and eye signs. But because the needed equipment for blood & salt testing and thyroid ultrasound were not available on hand, these examinations were not done. The salt samples brought by the participants were to be tested in Manila.

Next stop was San Jose de Buenavista in Antique with the CAP Auditorium as the venue filled with about 120 attendees. Organized by the San Jose Multipurpose Cooperative, the Thyromobile Event was opened with messages by SJMPC Chairperson Merlinda Alvior and Rotary Club of Antique President Delfa Gentica-Banga. Guests included Dr Jerry Molina (attending in behalf of his wife Rachelle Molanida-Molina, President of the Antique Medical Society), Dr Christine Train-Bilbao, Rhodelyn Vera Cruz & Perla Aban Saldajeno of SJMPC.

The capacity-building seminar lectures were given by Dr Teofilo San Luis Jr and Dr Lilluck Alacapa, an endocrinology practitioner in San Jose itself, who spoke on the topic “Thyroid & Pregnancy”.  The thyroid screening was done with many turning positive for goiters, thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism and even one baby with congenital hypothyroidism. Blood samples were drawn for TSH & FT4 courtesy of Maricar Tondares of Medicpro Diagnostic Center.