By Sam Ramos
Over 1, 800 residents from Indanan, Sulu, received essential healthcare services through a three-day Medical and Dental Civic Action Program (Medcap), which concluded on November 1, 2024. Organized by the Philippine Army’s 4th Civil Relations Group (4CRG), the initiative aimed to bolster health access in remote communities.
The Medcap, held from October 30 to November 1, provided free medical consultations, immunizations, dental care, prenatal and vision check-ups, minor surgeries, psychological support, haircuts, and recreational activities for children. A total of 1, 867 residents from Indanan’s 34 barangays participated in the program.
“The Medcap strengthens trust and collaboration between the military, local government, and the community, highlighting shared goals for health and peace,” the 4CRG said in a statement.
The event was led by the 1103rd Infantry Brigade with assistance from the 100th Infantry Battalion, 6th Special Forces Battalion, 15th Civil Military Operations Battalion, Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital, and the 11th Dental Detachment. Partner organizations included the Philippine General Council of the Assemblies of God, Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Dental Association, and local stakeholders like the Indanan Rural Health Unit, Ministry of Social Services Development, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
Such programs are critical in Sulu, a province facing persistent challenges in healthcare access due to geographic isolation and limited resources. Initiatives like Medcap reflect ongoing efforts to address these barriers, providing residents with essential services while fostering goodwill and trust between military forces and local communities.
The program’s theme, “Sama-sama tungo sa kalusugan, kaunlaran at kapayapaan” (Together towards health, progress, and peace), underscores its commitment to integrated healthcare and development for a stable and thriving community.