MARIKINA CITY DIAGNOSTIC & MAB – Marikina City successfully conducted its second Thursday run of the “Libreng Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening” program—continuing its commitment to accessible, high-quality cancer prevention services for women.
For this week’s rotation, the teams from Barangka and Tumana Health Centers took the lead. Representing Barangka were Ms. Gretzelyn Jacob, RM, together with Marikina BHW President Ms. Lyma Rico. From Tumana Health Center, Ms. Levelyn Canete, RM, and BHW Ms. May Ann Lejano actively participated in the day’s activities—demonstrating the city’s strong collaboration between midwives and barangay health workers.
Leadership and Oversight
Present to guide and oversee the screening were:
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Dr. Christopher Guevarra, Marikina City Health Officer
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Dr. Manuel “Manolet” Loveria, Marikina City Cancer Control Chief
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Ms. Ma. Gracia Mariano, RN, Marikina City NCD Coordinator and Nurse of Tanong Health Center
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Ms. Anna Marie Tomimbang, RM, Marikina City Head Midwife Coordinator (Marikina Heights Health Center)
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Ms. Precy Cabasis, RM, and Ms. Vilma Reas from the Specialty Clinics of the Marikina City Diagnostic and Medical Arts Building
Their presence reinforced both clinical quality and the city’s long-term vision for sustainable screening services.
Training Today for Sustainability Tomorrow
As with previous sessions, the morning began with orientation and hands-on guidance on the proper use of the speculoscope in Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening.
The immediate goal remains clear: train rotating midwives from different health centers. The long-term objective is even more ambitious—ensuring that each health center will eventually operate and manage its own scope-based VIA services independently.
By gradually transitioning midwives from guided observation to active handling of the device, the program is building both technical confidence and system-wide capacity.
A Milestone: Digital System Trial Launch
This second Thursday was particularly significant as it marked the first trial run of a new comprehensive digital screening system designed to streamline and modernize workflow.
The system aims to:
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Allow patients to register via a QR-based sign-up system
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Enable appointment scheduling and screening confirmation
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Allow operators to securely upload images to the cloud under the patient’s profile
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Provide doctors with remote access for immediate evaluation
While still in its developmental and enhancement phase, early testing has already shown promising results. The workflow—from patient registration to physician evaluation—was successfully demonstrated, highlighting the system’s potential to significantly improve efficiency and turnaround time. Further refinements are underway to enhance user experience and optimize interface design.
The platform, developed under Care Connect, is envisioned as a comprehensive digital ecosystem covering the entire cervical cancer care continuum—from HPV DNA testing, Pap smear, VIA-based screening, thermal ablation treatments, prescriptions, and reporting systems.
The initiative is supported by We Bless We Care Foundation Inc., which serves as a key proponent of Care Connect’s development. The foundation aims to assist LGUs in improving workflow efficiency, enhancing reporting accuracy, and ultimately increasing cervical cancer screening coverage through smart digital integration.
Representatives from We Bless We Care Foundation observed the first live trial and expressed satisfaction with the system’s performance, noting that patients were successfully registered, screened, and evaluated within the integrated platform.
Quality Over Quantity
The day concluded with 15 patients screened—a modest number, but with strong emphasis on quality. The captured images were of excellent clarity and will contribute to ongoing learning and documentation efforts.
Selected images will form part of submissions to the Cervix Image Bank under the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), contributing to broader data development and research initiatives.
Moving Forward
Marikina’s second Thursday screening demonstrated that progress is not only about numbers—it is about systems, skills, and sustainability. With trained midwives, structured rotations, clinical oversight, and emerging digital innovation, the city continues to move steadily toward a stronger, more efficient, and more accessible cervical cancer prevention program.
Each Thursday builds momentum—bringing Marikina closer to a future where early detection becomes routine and preventable cancer deaths become rare.
