Kids in Lanao benefit from free surgery
-A A +AFriday, September 21, 2012
TUBOD, Lanao del Norte -- At least 69 children aged eight months to 10 years old from different towns in the province received free surgical operation from the Maharlika Charity Foundation Incorporated (MCFI).
The three-day medical mission, held from September 10 to 13 at the Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital (LNPH) in Baroy, was intended for indigent children suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate, hydrocele and hernia.
The Provincial Government provided the necessary medical facilities, surgical equipment, operation room supplies, food, as well as hotel accommodation for the medical team involved in the humanitarian mission.
The free surgeries were sponsored by MCFI through its Brotherhood Operation Sweet Smile (BOSS) Project lead by Dr. Rizal D. Aportadera, surgeon and MCFI president.
A total of 63 cases of cleft lip, four cleft palates, one hydrocele and one case of hernia were successfully operated by the medical team.
Patients were also given free medicines.
“We are very happy that Lanao del Norte was identified as one of the stops in the Mindanao-wide surgical mission of MCFI. Truly, they are examples of our modern-day heroes,” said Provincial Health Officer Idelfonso Nisnisan.
The 20-member medical team is composed of doctors, nurses, volunteers and social workers from the sponsoring foundation.
The Provincial Government also assigned doctors and nurses to augment the visiting MCFI team.
“The free surgery is a life-changing gift to these poor children and gives one more reason to smile about. To the Maharlika Charity Foundation, thank you for coming to Lanao del Norte,” said Gemma Harun, head of the Provincial Resource Management Center.
Maharlika Charity Foundation is based in Davao City. It was founded in May 1973 to provide free surgical services to the poor and the needy, especially those living in interior barangays.
Earlier, MCFI also conducted a similar medical mission in the town of Monkayo in Compostela Valley.
Other identified stops of the medical team will be in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Norte; M'lang in North Cotabato, and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. (PR)
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on September 22, 2012.
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