Adventist group conducts 3-day medical, dental and surgical mission
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Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Close to 50 doctors and nurses belonging to theAdventist University of the Philippines (AUP) Alumni Association - Eastern North America Chapter (EASNAC) visited Lanao del Norte for a medical, dental and surgical mission starting February 13 to 15, 2012.
The AUP medical team came to this fast-rising province after the Dimaporo family initiated by Representatives Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo (1st District) and Fatima Aliah Dimaporo (2nd District) personally invited the group during their visit at the Philippine Consulate-General based in New York City last year.
“Despite the impression of insecurity and danger, we decided to take on the challenge and come here in Lanao del Norte to prove that this is a peaceful place”, AUP Alumni Association President Jedd Villanueva declared.
The three-day medical mission included minor surgeries like removal of cysts, cataract operation and even major operations for goiter, hernia and patients with hair lip.
Indigent patients who qualified for the free surgical operation have been pre-screened by personnel from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and provincial hospitals a week earlier.
After the end of the three-day medical mission, the AUP group decided to extended for half a day their medical services to give patients from the interior municipalities more time to avail of the free medical and dental services.
By February 16, 2012, a total of 1,282 indigent patients were served by the Adventist medical team. The group conducted 11 Thyroidectomy, 10 Herniorraphy, 2 Mastectomy, 8 big mass surgery, 955 medical consultations, 240 dental services, 21 minor surgeries, 16 cataract operations, and 19 Ptyridium.
“I am very thankful to the Dimaporo Family for helping invite the AUP doctors, to the AUP Alumni Association especially to Dr. Joseph Gulfan who conducted my hernia operation”, Arkemio Banaag expressed. Banaag is a 45-year old farmer from Prk. 5, Salvador, this province.
On February 16, 2012, the AUP Alumni Association-EASNAC also turned-over more than 100 surgical tools to PHO for distribution to the provincial hospitals.
“We will never forget the generosity and kindness of the Adventist University of the Philippines Alumni Association. The people of Lanao del Norte will forever be grateful”, PHO Head Melania Untao said.
The medical, dental and surgical mission was conducted at the Kapatagan Provincial Hospital, Kolambugan Provincial Hospital and Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital situated in the town of Baroy.
“We are here to serve the people of Lanao del Norte and we hope that what we’re doing will bolster the health program of Governor Khalid Dimaporo in responding to the needs of the people”, Head of Mission Rene Ballenas expressed. VNL & LAR/PIO-LDN
