Aloha Medical Mission: Making a difference in lives of Negrenses

Since 2004, Aloha Medical Mission (AMM) has helped make a difference in the lives of thousands of Negrenses.

In its 10 years of surgical, dental, and consultation missions across Negros Occidental, the medical mission has served a total of 11,235 Negrense patients.

Partnering with AMM in its mission in Negros Occidental is the St. Scholastica’s Bacolod Alumnae Foundation Inc. (SSBAFI), with the active support of the provincial government.

AMM was founded in 1983 by members of the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii to provide free and voluntary medical, surgical and other health-related services, supplies and equipment to totally indigent areas in the Philippines, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

This year, the province was blessed with the rare opportunity of being the recipient of two consecutive surgical and dental missions by the AMM.

The first was held at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital (TLJMPH) in Silay City last February 24-28 to serve patients in Silay and adjacent local towns and cities in northern Negros.

The second was held at the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital (LDZDH) in Kabankalan City last March 3-7 for patients in southern Negros.

These were the ninth and tenth medical missions of AMM, in partnership with the SSBAFI.

The City of Kabankalan was nominated by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to be the recipient of the second AMM this year. Mayor Isidro Zayco provided the necessary assistance and logistical support requested by the SSBAFI, headed by its vice president and executive director, Jean Velez-Trebol.

LDZDH chief of hospital Dr. Claudelia Josefa Pabillo facilitated the hospital requirements of the mission, with the help of Kabankalan city health officer Dr. Fernando Fernandez and his staff.

AMM president Dr. Bradley Wong headed the AMM team of 35 volunteers composed of doctors, nurses and lay personnel.

In Kabankalan, surgeries, both major and minor, as well as fittings of the LN-4 prosthetic hands were performed at the LDZDH while the dental mission was held at the Kabankalan Farmers Center.

A total of 741 patients benefitted from the five-day mission, with 66 major surgeries, 126 minor surgeries, 11 LN-4 hand fittings, and 538 dental procedures.

“We feel grateful knowing that you have helped so many people in need and you made a difference in their lives,” Trebol says.

Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, chief of hospital of the TLJMPH, for her part, says that Aloha Medical Mission is a big help in treating Negrense patients.

The alumnae members of SSBAFI who volunteered for this medical mission were president Pilar Luzuriaga-Mendezona, Malu Jalandoni-Valderrama, Salou Jugo-Keuls, Marilou Fargas, Maridel Ordoñez-Gamban, Therese Yusay-Ledesma, Bingo L. Lacson, Sylvia Lopez-Golez, Vicky Franco-Villanueva, Susan Angodung-Locsin, Kring A. Locsin, Bianca B. Ordoñez, Alex J. Keuls, Cecile C. Ledesma, Catherine Bril-Jordan, Cherie Pie Martir-Zayco, Maggie Ledesma-Jalandoni, Jarie Jalandoni-Yulo, Ang Macasa-Sanson, Brenda Aranas-Tenk, Nanette Hilado-Chua, Chole Cuenca-Chua, Rose L. Lacson, Jaye Jesena-Hedriana, Rica Araneta-Alba, Febe Kho-Malata, Grace Pandan-Ablan, Babes Lopez-Locsin, Tina Gurrea and Analou de la Rama-Celdran.

As a gesture of thanksgiving, Mayor Zayco hosted a dinner for AMM volunteers at the Zaycoland Resortand Hotel. In return, the volunteers surprised Mayor Zayco with a birthday cake as it was the eve of his birthday.

The AMM volunteers left Kabankalan early the next day, exhausted from a week’s mission, nonetheless fulfilled, not only for having served hundreds of disadvantaged Kabankalanons but also for being blessed with the joy and privilege of gaining new friends and priceless memories.

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