ALABAT, Quezon — The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) conducted a simultaneous blood donation activity and medical and dental mission in the Island of Alabat in Quezon province on July 6, 2024.  

The Christian Medical Dental and Paramedical Society (CMDPS), a group of medical practitioners in the INC, in cooperation with the Quezon Medical Center (QMC), a provincial hospital in Quezon, facilitated the event. The activity was held at the covered court of Alabat National High School.

Many of the CMDPS members and other volunteers who helped in the event travelled almost 200 kilometers by land from Quezon City, and another hour by boat to reach Alabat Island, known as one of the Hidden Gems of Quezon province.  The island—renowned for its excellent fishing grounds, fertile soil, and expansive plains—is divided into the towns of Perez, Quezon and Alabat.

The island’s residents who came to the venue were given free medical and dental services. The medical mission provided free consultations with doctors and free medicines and vitamins for those in need. In total, the INC provided medical services to 215 individuals and dental services to 87 individuals.

One of the recipients of the dental service, Alabat resident Nestor Olibera expressed his gratitude to the INC for holding a medical and dental mission in their area. “I prioritized dental service because my toothache was bothering me, affecting even my head, making it hard [for me] to work … INC is of great help to people because dental extraction is expensive nowadays. (Kaya ko inuna [ang serbisyong] dental [ay dahil] pasakit-sakit yung ngipin ko, [apektado pati] ang ulo ko, di makapag-trabaho … Malaki ang maitutulong [ng INC] sa mga tao sapagkat ngayon mahal na magpabunot.)”

“These Medical and Dental Mission and Blood Donation activities are conducted by the Iglesia Ni Cristo out of love for God and love for other people (Isinasagawa po itong Medical and Dental Mission at Blood Donation ng Iglesia Ni Cristo, dahil sa pag-ibig sa Diyos at pag-ibig sa kapwa),” stated Brother Rico Melgar, District Minister of INC in Quezon East. 

“INC frequently engages in such activities in various locations to help others, as is also written in the Holy Scriptures (Madalas po itong gawin ng Iglesia Ni Cristo [sa iba’t ibang lugar bilang] pagtulong sa kapwa tao, na ito po ay nakasulat din sa Banal na Kasulatan),” added Redimar Esquierdo, a ministerial worker in the INC.

Meanwhile, a total of 20 blood bags were collected in the blood donation drive in Alabat Island, out of the more than 30 individuals who lined up for medical screening for the said activity.

“We consider every blood donation activity successful because each donor can potentially help three people (Yung may makolekta po talaga tayo kada activity, ay successful na po, kasi po kada sa isang magdo-donate, maari pong tatlong tao po ang matulungan natin),” explained April Dianne Matias, a nurse and donor recruitment officer at QMC. She noted that one blood bag can be processed into three components: red blood cells, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma. Each of these components have a specific use for various patients, depending on their medical and emergency needs. For example, plasma is commonly given to trauma, burn and shock patients, as well as people with multiple clotting factor deficiencies. 

Medical practitioners agree on the life-saving benefits of blood donation, emphasizing its critical support. “When we say blood, it’s not like medicine because medicine can be bought; if it’s not available in one pharmacy, you can look for it in another (Pag sinabi po nating dugo ay hindi po yan katulad ng gamot, kasi ang gamot po, pwede nating bilhin, pag wala po sa isang botika, pwede pong humanap sa ibang botika),” Matias emphasized.

The INC conducted similar blood donation activities in other locations, such as in Cainta, Rizal, on the same day, July 6. 

The Iglesia Ni Cristo conducts various activities that extend aid and kindness to people whenever and wherever possible. INC members strive to help the communities they serve and those in need.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) is a religious organization present in over 160 countries and territories, encompassing members from more than 150 different races and ethnicities.

For more about the Church and its activities, please visit www.iglesianicristo.net