Health Care for All: Successful Free Health Screening Held
Elmhurst, NY — Last Saturday, Damayan members and community members accessed much-needed health services during the Damayan Health Screening at Elmhurst Baptist Church, which was supported by more than 40 providers and volunteers. Driven by the belief that health care is a human right, Damayan strives to ensure all New Yorkers — especially the most vulnerable Filipinos — can access quality care.
Participants received blood pressure, glucose, and stroke screenings, as well as one‑on‑one doctor consultations. Those with physical disabilities and injuries were evaluated by physiatrists and paired with physical therapists for hands‑on therapy.
Mental health support was a central focus. More than half of attendees met with mental health care providers, highlighting growing openness to support in our community. Valuable information about self‑protection and immigrant rights was also shared.
As Ate Mylin, a Damayan member and domestic worker, said, “Ang health screening at doctor consultation ay mahalaga sa ating Filipino Community upang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan at malaman kaagad kung mayroong posibleng karamdaman.” (“Health screening and doctor consultation are important to our Filipino Community so we can take care of our health and know right away if there are possible illnesses.”)
We thank our invaluable partners: Elmhurst Baptist Church; Philippine Nurses Association of New York PNA New York ; Philippine American Physiatrist Associationi The Institute for Family Health NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; and ICE Out of New York. Special thanks to our Board, staff, Fellows, members, and volunteers.
Many thanks to the generous support from Asian American Federation , National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Neha Gautam and North Star Fund for photography.
Join us for Free Health Screening, Part 2, on Sunday, Sept 28, 2025, 10am–3pm in Woodside, New York.
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