First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos spearheaded the “LAB for All” caravan at the Dapa Sports Complex in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Tuesday.

The First Lady was joined by various government agencies during the caravan, together with the top officials in the province, led by Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers.

She was accompanied by her son, William Vincent, during her visit to Siargao.

Around 2,000 residents from different towns on the island received medical and social services during the caravan.

Leading agencies providing medical and social services included the Department of Health (DOH) 13 (Caraga), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-13), PhilHealth, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“The caravan offered a wide array of free medical and health-related services, including laboratory tests, medical consultations, minor surgeries, dental care, referrals, and drug dependency counseling,” the DOH-13 said in a statement on Tuesday.

Residents also accessed free services like HIV testing, VIA, family planning, mobile X-rays, optometry, ultrasounds, nutritional counseling, immunizations, health education, and health promotion.

As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the DOH-13 said 357 individuals had undergone consultations, of whom all were given the appropriate medicines.

About 232 residents utilized the free X-ray services; 408 received laboratory tests, such as glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, and hemoglobin; 300 received hygiene kits; 250 were given jerry cans; and 30 received assistive devices, including 20 adult and 10 pediatric wheelchairs.

A total of 232 individuals were also given eyeglasses, protective goggles, and eye drops during the caravan.

“Through the ‘LAB for All’ Caravan, the DOH reaffirms its commitment to making essential health and social services more accessible, particularly for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” the DOH-13 said.

Leading the Health department team was Undersecretary Gregorio Murillo Jr. of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program – Management Office, along with DOH-13 OIC-Regional Director Sadaila Raki-in.

The PhilHealth-13 also offered on-site registration to the residents for its primary programs and services.

Meanwhile, the DSWD-13 said that family food packs were also distributed to 1,500 household beneficiaries during the caravan.

“The agency also engaged the beneficiaries through dialogues to promote the Tamang Tulong sa Tamang Impormasyon program,” the agency said in a separate statement. (PNA)