BOOST Equips Lapasan Health Workers for Early Eye Screening

---

The Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Premier, in partnership with the Department of Ophthalmology of Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), trained 36 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Barangay Lapasan in basic eye screening on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Lapasan Barangay Hall through BOOST: Barangay Health Worker Onsite Ophthalmologic Screening and Training Program.

Now in its third year, the club's sight-saving initiative aims to equip frontline health workers with practical skills to recognize early warning signs of eye conditions and identify patients who may need further evaluation by a healthcare professional.

During the training, the BHWs learned basic eye examination techniques, including visual acuity testing using an eye chart and the proper use of a pen light to identify warning signs of common eye conditions and diseases. The sessions also emphasized recognizing when findings warrant referral for professional care.

The BHWs put their new skills into practice by screening one another under the guidance of the NMMC ophthalmology team. The hands-on component allowed participants to perform the techniques themselves while receiving guidance from the doctors.

Leading the medical team was Past President Dr. Dino Camonias, who was joined by NMMC Ophthalmology Department Chair Dr. Gabrielle Evangelista-Sia and ophthalmology residents Dr. Anthea Rae Burdeos, Dr. Shasta Grace Tiro, Dr. Marie Fraulein Petalcorin, Dr. Mary Roussle Janthina Lacson, Dr. Suzanne Dorothy Lapasaran Lim, Dr. Jenelle Alaiza Senoron, Dr. Anna Patricia Villanueva, and Dr. Paul Miguel Hipona.

Nine Rotarians joined the activity, including President Mae Grace Siao. Past President Maybelle "Dimple" Abogado-Quilnat represented the club during the program and, together with Rookie Rotarian Precilla Joy Alwag, coordinated the project with the barangay and medical team.

To help the BHWs apply their training in the community, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Premier and NMMC donated pen lights and eye charts for their use. The equipment gives the health workers basic tools to conduct preliminary eye checks and recognize cases that may require referral.

The Lapasan activity marked the fourth sight-saving project conducted by the club with NMMC over the past three years. The initiative began in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, as the Sight Saving Project. By its second year, the NMMC ophthalmology team had developed the name BOOST for the program. Subsequent activities were held in Barangay Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City, and Opol, Misamis Oriental, before this year's training in Barangay Lapasan.

The program has also helped establish a referral network between trained communities and NMMC's ophthalmology service. Patients identified in participating barangays have since been referred to NMMC for further evaluation and care, extending the project beyond the day of training.

BOOST supports Rotary's Area of Focus on Disease Prevention and Treatment by strengthening the ability of community health workers to recognize potential eye problems at the barangay level. With 36 more BHWs trained and equipped in Lapasan, the project expands a community-based network connecting residents who may have visual ailments with appropriate professional care.#

---

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•