MARIKINA CITY DIAGNOSTIC AND MEDICAL ARTS BUILDING – Dubbed as “Silip Cervix Salat Suso Sagip Buhay Sa Marikina”, the Marikina City Health Office (MCHO) and the End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization, Inc. (ECCPOI) have formally agreed to collaborate in the delivery of breast and cervical cancer screening services at the newly inaugurated Marikina City Diagnostic and Medical Arts Building, conveniently located adjacent to Marikina City Hall.
The screening services will officially commence this Thursday, February 12, and will be conducted every Thursday thereafter, except on selected dates when the City Health Office will prioritize vision screening activities. A corresponding screening calendar will be regularly released through the City’s official social media platforms to keep the public informed of available dates.
Planning and Coordination Meeting Highlights
During the recent coordination meeting, key logistical requirements and immediate operational concerns were thoroughly discussed. The meeting was attended not only by representatives from the Marikina City Health Office (MCHO) and End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization, Inc. (ECCPOI), but also by two volunteers from a well-established US pharmaceutical manufacturing company—one a licensed pharmacist by profession from the Regulatory Affairs Division, based in the Philippines, and another serving as a New Products Lead based in the United Kingdom, who holds a Master’s degree in Evidence-Based Health Care from the University of Oxford (UK). Their participation underscores the growing private sector and international professional interest in supporting collaborative public health initiatives.
Given the urgency of launching the service, temporary bridging solutions will initially be supported by ECCPOI. However, the group collectively emphasized the importance of mobilizing additional partners and reliable sources of support to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the program.
Roles and Contributions
ECCPOI will provide the following critical components to support the screening program:
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Speculoscopy equipment
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Laptops and tele-evaluation systems
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Server infrastructure and project website for public awareness and data management
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Capacity-building activities
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Tele-evaluation services
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Treatment support for eligible patients
These efforts will be complemented and jointly implemented with the Marikina City Health Office, reinforcing a shared responsibility model between civil society and local government.
Immediate Operational Needs
To ensure smooth day-to-day operations, the following consumables and equipment are urgently needed:
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Dental bibs (to be used as patient drapes)
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Alcohol, Cidex, and Clorox (disinfectants)
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Vaginal speculums
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Mayo tables
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Curtain rods and curtains (preferably in a bluish hue)
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Two (2) monitors, at least 32 inches, to be used during speculoscopy-assisted VIA screenings
Any form of support in providing or sourcing these items will be deeply appreciated.
Manpower and Volunteer Support
Each Thursday screening session will be staffed by a team of 10 core personnel—6 from the City Health Office and 4 from ECCPOI—augmented by volunteers. The team aims to screen up to 40 patients per day.
In line with this, the partnership is also seeking assistance for meals and modest transportation allowances for volunteers who dedicate their time weekly to the program.
We likewise encourage partners and supporters to share this initiative with other NGOs, civic groups, and institutions that may be interested in contributing resources or expertise to this cause.
Silip Cervix Salat Suso Sagip Buhay – Why This Matters!
Breast and cervical cancer remain the top two cancers affecting women in the Philippines. Alarmingly, these two diseases combined claim the lives of an estimated 44 Filipino women every single day. Through collaborative action, shared responsibility, and sustained partnerships, initiatives like this bring us closer to saving lives—one screening at a time.
