Despite the warning by doctors that the genetic deformity will be passed on to her children, she still managed to give birth to five children. Only two of her children were spared from facial deformities.
But because of the high cost of surgery and medical expenses, Urbano could do so little for her children. She shares the same situation with over 180,000 indigent Filipinos with facial congenital deformity.
But all was not lost for Urbano. Having heard of a the free cleft palate and cleft lip surgery offered by the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF), in partnership with the international group Operation Smile, she herded her entire family to the Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop) in Barangay Maimpis here last Wednesday.
Dr. Owen Loh, team leader of the Pampanga mission of Operation Smile, said they aim for the eradication of facial congenital deformities in the country. Loh said one out of 500 live births is said to have congenital facial deformity.
"Aside from the speech and health problems brought about by this deformity on the children, they are also psychologically scarred. They become reclusive and shy away from people," Loh said.
Operation Smile, a not-for-profit medical service organization, teamed up with the KDF to help address the cleft palate and cleft lip problems in the province. It has provided reconstructive surgery to over 100,000 children and young adults in 30 countries.
According to Loh, commercial surgery for such kind of deformity would fetch around P70, 000 without the necessary medicine. Around P100,000 would be needed if the surgery would cover the full recovery expenses.
"We have screened 108 patients, if we would multiply that hypothetically with the commercial cost we are actually donating around 10 million in this mission alone," Loh said.
Meanwhile, KDF president Benigno Ricafort said the project would assist the indigent beneficiaries and free them from the burden of expenses.
The program has attracted more indigents according to organizers. Urbano's children qualified in the initial screening.
"It would be fine with me if I'm the only one who will be left with cleft lip, so long as I see my children normally smile," Urbano said.
Ricafort said the activity is a composite effort of the Rotary International District 3790, Rotary Club of Mabalacat, Quota International, Pampanga Provincial Government, Angeles City Government, and Arellano University.
The Mother Theresa of Calcutta Hospital provided the free use of their facilities for the volunteers. The said activity will run for four days and will end on Saturday. (IOF)
