Phnom Penh, 03 November 2024 – The Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI) spearheaded on 3 November 2024 a day-long medical mission and blood donation drive in partnership with the  Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh.  Dubbed “SAMAPI  Bloodletting and Medical Mission - Dugong Alay ng Mga Pilipino sa Cambodia”, the public health campaign at the Embassy chancery offered medical services by Intercare Hospital alongside donor screening and blood collection by the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) in Cambodia. 

At the public event, licensed professionals from Intercare Hospital accommodated some 70 walk-in patients for free consultations, physiotherapy, and medical tests such as ECG, glucose, hepatitis, and color vision.  Discounted flu vaccinations were also made available.

In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo lauded members of the Filipino community for their selfless donation of life-saving blood.  “The Embassy will always be proud to support bighearted initiatives like this SAMAPI Health Day,” she assured the participating organizations.  The Ambassador also acknowledged the health professionals present for their generous service to positively shape health attitudes.  “I congratulate you all for taking a healthy step forward, in an act of self-empowerment and selfless giving that strengthens our caring community in Phnom Penh,” Ambassador Mayo said.

Cambodian public hospitals reportedly need an average of 250-300 units of blood to meet daily demand even as donors currently come from less than 15 percent of the local population.  NBTC Deputy Director Mrs. Meuk Samean thus deeply appreciated the initiative of the Filipino Community to boost the NBTC’s blood bank and looked forward to sustained blood donation drives such as SAMAPI’s bi-annual campaign.

SAMAPI is a non-stock, non-profit, non-partisan, service-oriented association of Filipino citizens working and residing in Cambodia.  The umbrella Filipino organization has been a long-standing partner of the Philippine Embassy in public service and community building. END