AT LEAST 74 inmates of the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC) have been selected as beneficiaries of the free surgical mission this August by the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC).

ZCMC Department of Surgery chairperson Joji Sese said the free surgical mission is part of the activities lined up as the government-owned hospital is celebrating its centennial anniversary.

The centennial celebration is anchored on the theme "Cien año de servicio con amor y cariño para na pueblo Zamboangueño (100 years of service with love and care for the city of Zamboanga)."

Sese said 44 of the 74 will undergo major operations for hernia and hemorrhoids, while the remaining 30 will avail themselves of minor surgery for cyst excision.

But she said 20 of the 44 have already undergone operations at the ZCMC. The minor surgery will be done at the ZCRC compound.

Sese said they have prioritized the ZCRC inmates since they have limited access to health care. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)