PHL conducts medical outreach for Pinoy kids in Israel

Children of overseas Filipino workers based in Israel benefited from a free medical consultation conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv and volunteer doctors.   The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the medical mission was conducted for 41 children were examined, with ages ranging from one month old to 14 years old, on January 14 at the Embassy chancery in coordination with volunteer doctors of Hadassah Hospital. The hospital also sent its official clown, Moshe Twito ("Tito the Clown") and two lady clowns to entertain children anxious over the usual fear of injection and doctor's examination.   "This is part of the Embassy's resolute efforts to address the needs of the Filipino community in Israel, among which is free medical consultation, since many children are without health or medical insurance," the DFA said.   It was the second time that this project was implemented by the Embassy, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Office (OWWA) in Tel Aviv, in cooperation with volunteer doctors from the world-renowned Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.   The first medical mission took place on December 11, 2010.   The members of the medical team included pediatricians headed by Dr. Sig Kharasch. The other members were doctors Alex Gileles-Hillel (coordinator), Ibrahim Omari, Mohammad Natour and Liya Kerem.   Kharasch, Hillel and Omari had taken part in the 2010 medical mission.   Ambassador Generoso Calonge expressed optimism that this project will be held yearly.   "The doctors patiently examined the 41 children who were accompanied by their parents, mostly mothers. Not all the children have health insurance, but those who have and opted to avail themselves of this free medical consultation said that they felt 'at home' in the Embassy," the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News