AROUND 150 to 200 minor surgery operations and 40 to 50 major surgery operations are set to be conducted at the Tacloban City Hospital on June 24-25, courtesy of the World Surgical Foundation (WSF).
The SM Foundation will be holding a pre-screening on June 10-11 at the hospital prior to the surgical mission, said hospital chief Dr. Joedina Gumagay.
Gumagay said they will prioritize pediatric patients.
Pediatric surgeries include hernia (umbilical and inguinal), Hirschsprung's disease, anal malformations, cysts, cleft lip, and palate.
Adult surgeries include hernia, cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, parotidectomy, cyst, and breast mass, while minor surgeries will include mass or cyst at the back of arms and legs, said the City Information Office in a statement.
For more information about the medical mission, Gumagay urged the public to visit the Tacloban City Hospital and look for the OIC-Chief Nurse, Florentina Meneses or contact her through 0917-507-7595.
Founded in 1997 by a Filipino pediatric surgeon, Dr. Domingo T. Alvear, the World Surgical Foundation "has served people in developing or impoverished countries where modern health care is not available or too costly."
The non-profit organization is composed of volunteer surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, nurses and other caregivers who perform at least one surgical mission per year to bring hope and improve the quality of life for hundreds of people who could not otherwise receive surgical care, the group said in its website.
In March, Tacloban Mayor Cristina Romualdez also expressed her gratitude to the 200-strong members of the US-led Pacific Partnership Mission for initiating humanitarian activities, which benefited nearly 1,000 patients through their medical and dental services.
“For this, the City Government of Tacloban and its people would like to convey our sincerest thanks and profound gratitude to the men and women of Pacific Partnership 2019 headed by US Navy Captain Randy Van Rossum. We are thankful for the newly-constructed multi-purpose building in Barangay Sta. Elena and the newly renovated V&G Health Center,” said Tacloban Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin.
Yaokasin lauded the Pacific Partnership Mission for its first aid training, preventative medicine training, various healthcare symposiums, veterinary services, engineering projects, disaster response seminars, and a variety of community outreach engagements with the people of Tacloban.