CITY OF MATI, DAVAO ORIENTAL— In the effort of promoting inclusive governance, the Provincial Government recently spearheaded a Surgical Mission dedicated for poor constituents of the province belonging to the Muslim and Mandaya communities.
Held at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC), a total of 101 patients have been served during the four-day mission, giving respite to the suffering of patients with medical conditions like cyst, lipoma, hernia, hydrocele, thyroid mass, gallstone, excess of mass under spinal cord, and cataract.
Volunteer surgeons and nurses from the Halad Mission Group Foundation and partners have provided the free surgery to the indigent patients.
Conducted as part of the Service Delivery Network framework of the Department of Health, the activity was conducted in line with the government’s Inclusive Governance Framework.
The Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has been known as a staunch advocate of Inclusive Governance anchored to the national government’s bid that “no one should be left behind”.
“This activity shows that we also give priority to our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as the Mandaya natives especially in rendering health care services,” said City Health Officer Dr. Benhur Catbagan.
Patients have expressed their thanks to the Provincial Government and to the volunteer doctors who extended assistance considering that they cannot afford the cost of surgery in a regular surgical operation or in private hospitals. Among the expensive surgeries performed during the mission is laparoscopic cholecystectomy or the removal of gallstones which costs around P150,000.
Pinky Paña from Tarragona whose three-year-old son suffered from hydrocele said she is thankful that his son availed of the free surgery. “I am deeply thankful for this because we could not afford a surgery like this,” she said.
Another recipient is Victor Austria from Dawan, City of Mati who had a cyst removed also expressed his thanks. “I worried that the cyst on my chest might grow larger. That’s why I had it removed and I am really thankful of the free services,” Austria said.
The Halad Mission Group Foundation has been providing free surgeries to the poor constituents of the province since 2003. Led by Dr. Rolley Rey Lobo, HMGF President, the foundation is again being requested by the DOPMC management to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to continuously render free health care services to the people of the province of Davao Oriental in another three years.
“We do this for the purpose of bringing the government services to the people in partnership with the private sector,” Catbagan said.
Aside from the HMGF and the Provincial Government, the successful conduct of the Surgical Mission was also made possible through other partners such as the District II Congressional Office, City Health Office of Mati, Southern Philippines Medical Center Anesthesiology Department, UCCP Social Concerns-Davao City, Muslim Affairs and Development Office, and National Commission on Indigenous People. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
