Church Donates Medical Equipment, Supplies to Gattaran Emergency Hospital

Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, donated medical equipment, supplies, and technologies to Gattaran Emergency Hospital in a turnover ceremony in Calaoagan Dackel, Gattaran, Cagayan on Tuesday, October 18.

Dr. Diana Rhea Garde, Chief of the Hospital, emphasized that donations will significantly benefit the hospital in rendering the needed healthcare services and required medical attention to the people living within the remote community of Calaoagan Dackel and its nearby barangays. 

Moreover, she emphasized the plan to request from the government a financial budget to purchase necessary items the hospital lacks. 

Fortunately, a group of couple service missionaries, along with Willie Estrada, Welfare and Self-Reliance (WSR) manager, toured around the facilities and asked for a list of the desired equipment and items for the hospital. Dr. Garde gave her utmost gratitude and appreciation for the aid and assistance handed out by the Church.

Elissa McConkie, Welfare and Self-Reliance Consultant for Asia, was also present during the turnover of the donations. She also emphasized the importance of medical work and the contributions made by the members of the Church to help other people’s lives significantly. “You are the Savior. You are the one who provides medical attention to make people healthy and strong physically, emotionally, and in every other way,” she added.

Among the donated items were: one portable X-ray machine, projector, otoscope, and emergency cart; two sets of 50-inch flatscreen TVs, laptops, and printers, and mobile ECG unit; ten pieces of pulse oximeters and surgical packs; four stethoscopes, three wheelchairs; two heavy and portable suction machines, and cardiac monitors, and five units of digital sphygmomanometer. 

Furthermore, Elder Steven Leininger and Sister Marilyn Leininger, who serves as the senior service missionaries for the Church, highlighted the symbolism of every piece of medical equipment and how it could reflect the Savior in every way. Elder Leininger further expressed how every effort of the medical team of the said hospital could give hope to the people.

WSR Country Manager Jairus Perez spearheaded the endorsement of the donated items, along with Dr. Garde, who signed the donation deed. Also present during the turnover were Elder Mernard P. Donato, Area Seventy; George Kenneth Lee, Humanitarian Services manager; Appari Philippines District (diocese) Presidency and members; and the young church-service missionaries of the Philippines North Luzon Service Mission.