At least 238 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Agusan del Norte have benefited from free medical services, such as bone scanning and assessment, the provincial government said Tuesday.

In a statement, the provincial government said after the PWDs’ bone screening and assessments on July 23, required papers and documents are now being processed to schedule their medical treatment at the Tebow Cure Hospital in Davao City.

“The program for the PWDs is among the initiatives of Governor Ma. Angelica Amante and spearheaded by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD),” the statement said.

The initiative is in line with the observance of the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, it added.

Of the 238 PWDs, 44 were qualified to undergo orthopedic procedures while 177 others will go through harelip and cleft palate operations.

Seventeen beneficiaries will also undergo hernia operations.

“The operation and other medical treatment will be handled by medical experts from Davao City,” the statement said.

Silver Joy Tejano, PSWD chief, said the provincial government has prioritized PWDs who cannot afford treatment, such as medical operations.

The beneficiaries were only required to be enrolled as members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to avail of the treatment program.

The provincial government and the local government units will also shoulder the transportation expenses of the beneficiaries, Tejano said. (PNA)