THE Bacolod St. Scholastica Alumnae Foundation (BSSAF) has brought into the province of Negros Occidental 33 health experts from the United States of America, called the Aloha Medical Mission group, to conduct surgical mission.

BSSAF vice president Jean Treborl said the team will be operating until Friday this week.

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Recipients of the mission are indigent individuals from the cities of Sipalay, Bacolod, Bago, Talisay, and Silay and from the towns of Murcia, Manapla and E.B Magalona.

Aside from the target areas, Trebol said there were also a lot of walk-in individuals.

Those who have been lined up for major surgery number 226, whose cases range from cholelithiasis (gall bladder stone), hernia, kidney stones, thyroid problem or goiter, burn and hydrocele for children, as well as 250 minor cases mostly for cyst or lump removal.

The team is composed of six surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and lay volunteers. The Aloha Mission team also provides free medicines aside from the free surgery.

Trebol said the mission is a yearly undertaking that has already benefited thousands of individuals in the province.

The province also supported the team using the hospitals facilities and staff as reinforcement.

The province has 10 district hospitals that Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco said were hosts to various medical and other health related activities in the past.

Zayco lauded the efforts of foreign groups who untiringly help the province's health and social service programs.

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(November 12, 2008 issue)
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