Philippine television’s pioneering public service program, Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko (KKMK), which debuted December 1975 on GMA Network, Inc. (GMA), continues its socio-civic activities with a larger audience this 2011.
The show, airing Saturdays from 530 to 6am over GMA-7, undertook a series of medical mission activities on- and off-air to render primary health care services to indigent Filipino communities.
For the first semester 2011, KKMK created the most impact through facilitating Ventriculo-Peritoneal (VP) Shunting surgery to three hydrocephalus-stricken child-patients. VP Shunt implants a tube in the skull of the patient to empty excess fluid in the brain.
KKMK’s health care service also extended to 33,656 individuals who received operation and medical assistance during the covered period. The medical missions (administered in partnership with SM Foundation) and medical assistance programs were aimed at providing health service to underserved communities in select areas in the country.
Just this June, the socio-civic group likewise mounted a fun-filled day for cancer-afflicted children collectively known as Batang K. The event, organized in partnership with the Quezon Citygovernment office led by Mayor Herbert Bautista, was deemed important in sustaining the support system for the parents and guardians of young cancer patients.
According to KKMK President Dr. Orly Mercado, it is important to prioritize health care service in the Philippines since medical resources in the country are inadequately spread among those in need. “Filipinos can survive through trying times provided they are in good health condition. But when there is a dent in health, a person cannot perform normal functions,” Mercado said. “There are means people can do, collectively and individually, to alleviate the health condition, especially of the poor,” he added.
This 2011, KKMK’s audience branched out to the virtual village through the utilization of social networking sites, namely, Facebook and Twitter. KKMK continues to grow the number of its online followers through multi-media health-related content.
Its new official website is www.kapwako.org.
KKMK, hosted by Dr. Orly Mercado and long-time philanthropist Connie Angeles, airs Saturdays, 530 to 6am, on GMA-7. (30)
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