Medical missions sought to make quality healthcare more accessible to Filipinos
Dengue outbreaks cause pain, costs and other consequences.
These hardships are all too familiar to the residents of Narra town in Palawan, where one of the province’s biggest dengue surges has led to hospitalizations and even deaths.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease whose symptoms include fever, headache and rashes. Fatalities are often linked to the lack of proper medical attention—commonplace in many corners of the Philippines where the healthcare infrastructure is wanting in expertise, facilities and other vital resources.
Medical missions
In a moment of loss, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and its corporate social responsibility arm, BingoPlus Foundation, brought much-needed medical attention to the town in March 2025 through KalusuganPLUS Program.
From March 6 to 7, the foundation launched a medical mission in Princess Urduja and Antipluan barangays, bringing with it volunteer doctors who would help the municipal health workers provide medical services like immunization for dengue and other diseases, as well as checkups and dengue prevention education, for free.
“Our partnership with DigiPlus and BingoPlus Foundation has been invaluable in addressing our community’s healthcare needs,” said Dr. Gina Tagyab, the municipal health officer of Narra. “This initiative provided much-needed services while reinforcing efforts in disease prevention and public health education.”
BingoPlus Foundation held another medical mission from April 11 to 12 in Mulanay, Quezon Province, providing free services to a town whose 50,000 residents would need to travel 30 to 40 minutes to reach the nearest hospital, a journey that can be grueling for the elderly and patients that need constant medical attention and medications.
“We often run out of essential medicines and vitamins for the elderly population who rely heavily on consistent treatment,” said Dr. Ma. Melissa Tesalona, the head of the municipal health unit.
The foundation, in collaboration with the health unit and the Mulanay Central Elementary Alumni Association, provided free medical consultations, basic health screening and medications.
The Palawan mission served some 1,300 residents across 12 barangays. Meanwhile, the activity in Quezon Province reached over 1,200 residents, a substantial number of whom sought treatment for chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes.
Access to healthcare
“At BingoPlus Foundation, we believe that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” said Paul Tamayo, BingoPlus Foundation program manager for Health and Resilience.
He added: “Through our KalusuganPLUS Medical Mission, we aim to bridge the healthcare gap by offering free consultations, checkups and preventive care. Beyond addressing immediate health concerns, we empower communities with knowledge on disease prevention and overall well-being.”
