GAB DAVAO, DOH NOW START GIVING FREE CT SCAN, LABORATORY MEDICAL TESTS FOR PRO BOXERS

(Above) From left to right – boxer Glenn Porras, SPMC Chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega, GAB Davao OIC Arlene Olondrez and Judith Cala of MB Northstar Boxing Promotions.

THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) in partnership with the Department of Health is now issuing free CT Scan, laboratory and medical check-ups for professional boxers at the government medical centers in Southern Mindanao.
Former interim WBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight champion and current MinProBA super bantamweight title-holder Glenn “The Rock” Porras (30W-6L-0D, 18 KOs) was the first recipient of the free CT Scan, laboratory and medical check-ups here.
Porras, who is now under the MB Northstar Boxing Stable in Panabo City is slated to fight against former world title-contender Noldi Manakane of Indonesia on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. at the University of Mindanao Gym in Tagum City.
The 32-year old Porras took the free CT Scan, laboratory and medical check-up at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City last week. He was accompanied by GAB Davao Officer-in-Charge Arlene Olondrez and Judith Cala of MB Northstar Boxing Promotions.
They were accommodated by SPMC Chief Dr. Leopoldo “Pol” Vega, who is also a fitness fanatic and a marathoner.
Olondrez said that free CT scan, laboratory and medical check-ups are also available at the Davao Medical Center in Tagum City and the Cotabato Medical Center in Cotabato City.
“But they must first get an endorsement from GAB Davao before they go to the accredited government hospitals in Davao, Tagum or Cotabato,” said Olondrez, who can be contacted at her mobile no. 0929-4173866.
GAB Davao office is located the second floor of Davat Building located at 428 Villa Abrille St., Davao City with telephone no. 227-6907.
The partnership of GAB and the Department of Health was made possible through the efforts of GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra and former DOH Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial.
The program on free CT Scan, laboratory and medical check-ups for professional boxers was created after the GAB had conducted a nationwide dialogue with the boxing promoters, managers, matchmakers, trainers and boxers in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
“This was the result of our dialogue with the stakeholders in boxing,” said Baham Mitra, a former governor and congressman of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City.
The stakeholders have complained to GAB on the very expensive costing of a CT scan, laboratory and medical check-ups which are the requirements in getting a GAB permit to fight for local or international bouts.
“We just wanted to help and improve our professional boxing here in the Philippines,” said Mitra, who received an award for GAB as the Most Outstanding Commission from the World Boxing Council (WBC).
GAB earned the award mainly because of the free CT scan, laboratory and medical check-ups for the professional boxers, which are also provided in Manila, Cebu and Bacolod.
Mitra is also the president of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF), which recently conducted a very successful 55th annual OPBF Convention held last Nov. 9-12 in Puerto Princesa City, which had more than 150 participants coming from different countries.

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