Care and cure: A compassionate collaboration
By Venus L. Garcia
Imagine how it can bring about a
better world when everyone bids to nurture a sense of compassion and charitably
provide the necessary cure and health care services regardless of one’s race,
color, religion, or creed.
It’s absolutely a phenomenal thing
for these selfless individuals who embrace the passion to perform pro-social
and altruistic acts.
When a delegation made up of
physicians and surgeon-volunteers who are experts in their field made their
journey in the province of Surigao del Norte, they brought hope to the
underprivileged children and adult patients.
All Set for a Mission
Early morning of September 3,
2019, patients started queueing for the final screening prior to the massive
surgical services in the successive days.
Leading the team was Dr. Lester
Suntay, president of the World Surgical Foundation Philippines, who personally
looked at the nitty-gritty of the preparation for the success of the mission.
The team had their series of
surgical missions for several years already and had to meet every challenge
with optimism, starting from determining the destination of the mission to
packing and unpacking of supplies and equipment.
The logistical plight, wherein
huge parcels holding tons of medical equipment and supplies had to be
transported on-time by air or via reliable sea freight forwarder to ensure that
these are adequately protected from damage, never hindered them to push through
with the activity.
“Our mission is to help patients
in the Philippines who have no means to support for their needed surgical
treatments. So, we do this to provide free surgery; to furnish hospitals with
the needed equipment; and also impart additional learning to local surgeons,
anesthesiologists and nurses,” said Suntay.
The Surigao Surgical Outreach was
indeed a ‘complete package’ through the sponsorship of the Megawide Foundation,
supported by Sun Life Foundation, and other partner stakeholders.
“We really appreciate the WSF team
because they’re really excellent and very dedicated. They’re really providing
service to address the surgical backlog in these underserved communities. So,
one of the goals of Megawide Foundation is to provide underserved Filipino
communities with the first-world solution. We hope that it will be a blessing
to this community,” underscored Sheila Lynn Nawata, chief operating officer of
the Megawide Foundation.
The Presidential Communications
Operations Office through Secretary Martin Andanar, together with the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga headed by Abner Caga who is now the
concurrent officer-in-charge of PIA, also provided communication support and
necessary assistance in the course of this significant endeavor of the
Foundations.
180 Patients Avail Free Surgical
Services
Some 180 adult and children
patients benefited from the free surgical services conducted by the Megawide
Foundation, in partnership with the World Surgical Foundation Philippines
(WSFP), and in support with the provincial government of Surigao del Norte and
local hospitals.
The surgical team completed 54
major surgeries of varied cases such as hernia, thyroid mass, cleft palate,
breast mass and others, while 65 patients have underwent minor surgeries.
According to Dr. Chrismar Mocorro,
officer-in-charge of Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital, the beneficiaries
had never spent a single penny for the hospital bills as these were charged to
the social services fund of the provincial government office.
“As much as possible, we don’t
want the patients to pay so we follow the ‘no balance filling’ policy of
PhilHealth. What’s unique here is the presence of pathologists. So, the
readings of mass among patients are readily available and we would automatically
know whether it’s cancerous or benign. Hence, we can have a better decision
whether to recommend that for chemotherapy or radiation,” said Mocorro.
He added that they always welcome
this kind of mission and it is a rare opportunity for the people to avail such
services considering the lack of surgical teams in the locality.
Mocorro expressed in great delight
and gratitude to the pediatric, ENT and general surgeons, the
anesthesiologists, internists and pediatricians, and all other members of the
team for their commitment and much-needed competence to handle any situation
and condition of the patients.
According to Suntay, 47 patients
were accommodated for minor surgery in Dapa District Hospital and consultation
services were provided for those who were not qualified for the surgery.
Cry of Joy and Gratitude
At the break of day, young and
adult patients crowded in rows while seated at the hospital waiting area. Some
came from other provinces and patiently waited for their turn as the doctors
performed the surgery procedures.
Wearing a white hospital gown,
Remegio Caligner, 64 years old, never seemed to notice the time and got ready
to step inside the operating room. His fearless smile brought a positive vibe
for a successful surgery.
He narrated how he suffered from
hernia for a long period of time already and worried about the potentially
dangerous complications. Caligner was obviously perturbed about how it will
affect his livelihood as a farmer.
“I’m very grateful and happy to
have availed of this free surgery. At long last, my health problem will be
given a solution. I endured all of this pain but has caused me much financial
pressure where to source out an amount for the operation. Thank you so much for
the help, especially to the doctors and sponsors,” said Caligner in teary eyes
while sincerely expressing his gratitude.
In one corner sat a woman at her
fifties who was endearingly accompanied by her husband. Corazon Morillo relayed
how thankful she was since the lump in her breast will finally be treated.
“I can’t thank them enough for
helping me with my health dilemma. I appreciated so much the medical
practitioners and benefactors for their concern and love to us who have less to
support for our medical treatment,” uttered Morillo while shedding her tears of
joy.
The beneficiaries were incredibly
thankful and satisfied with the free surgery. They consider it a great help for
their health care and medical needs.
As to the aftercare of the
patients who availed of the free operation, Suntay said that they are in close
coordination with the local surgeons to assure easy tracking of medical
cases among patients in case of any complications.
Suntay added they are more than
glad to have served the public and more than willing to conduct it again in
Caraga region.
The surgical mission that the
Foundations had conducted in Surigao del Norte is the 7th leg for this year and
the same activity is also lined up to be held in Roxas City, Ilocos, and
Sorsogon. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 27 (PIA) -- The provincial
government of Agusan del Norte has welcomed and received the more than 200
members and supporters of the New People’s Army in the three barangays of
Agusan del Norte, who have voluntarily surrendered to the folds of the law and
promised to closely coordinate with the government to help curb the problem on
insurgency in the area.
This was in time with the conduct of the
Provincial Peace And Order Council (PPOC) immersion held in Barangay
Tagbongabong in the municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR).
According to Rocky, a former member of the Militia
Ng Bayan, his voluntary surrender to the government meant a lot to his family,
as he would now be able to spend quality time with them and could now send his
children to school.
“I’m happy to see my family again and will now
live peacefully with them. My children would now go to school and I will be
there to guide them,” he said.
Edwin, another surrenderee, also shared his
hardships and sufferings while he was still in the organization. He expressed
his hope that his decision of going back to the mainstream society will
ultimately improve his way of living.
“It’s been hard, but now that I’m back in the
community, I’m optimistic that there’s a lot of opportunities that I could
avail from the government’s programs and services,” he said.
According to Brigadier General Maurito Licudine,
commander of 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army, the Barangays Tagbungabong,
Balang-Balang, San Antonio and Mahaba are rebel-infested areas, where the
terrorist-NPAs recruit new members and supporters.
Along with the conduct of the PPOC immersion in
Barangay Tagbongabong, the local residents also declared the NPAs as persona
non-grata. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Mahigit 2,000 residente nakinabang sa 'Project Heart' ng PNP Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Set. 27 (PIA) -- Mahigit 2,000
residente sa Barangay San Antonio, bayan ng Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR) sa
Agusan del Norte ang nakinabang sa isinagawang outreach program kamakailan na
tinawag na “Project Kasing-Kasing” o “Project Heart” ng Philippine National
Police (PNP) Caraga, 33 porsyento nito ay mga Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
Tumanggap ng libreng gamot ang mga residente
matapos dumaan sa medical check-up, tooth extraction, eye check-up, at
circumcision. Nabigyan din sila ng school supplies, tsinelas, laruan, libreng
gupit, at food packs.
Laking pasasalamat din ni Mayor Richard Daquipil
sa PNP dahil sa napili ang kanyang barangay na maging benepisyaryo ng outreach
program. Ang Barangay San Antonio ay napabilang sa NPA-affected barangay sa
rehiyon ng caraga.
Ilan-ilang insidente na rin ang naitala sa lugar
kung saan nagdulot ng pangamba sa seguridad ng mga residente. Matatandaan na
noong nakaraang taon, tatlong sundalo ang napatay sa pag-ambush ng teroristang
grupong Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) sa
nasabing lugar.
Ayon kay dating PNP Caraga Regional Director
Police Brigadier General Gilberto Dc Cruz, ang “Project Heart” ay flagship
program ng Police Regional Office 13 na layung matulungan ang mga kababayang
mahihirap na nasa liblib na lugar ng rehiyon. layun din nitong mas pagtibayin
pa ang magandang relasyon ng mga kapulisan sa ibat-ibang komunidad na apektado
ng insurhensiya.
Ito ay isang paraan din ng PNP sa pagpapatupad ng
Executive Order No. 70 o ang whole of nation approach sa pagsugpo ng
insurhensiya at pagkamit ng pangmatagalan na kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa bansa.
Ibinahagi rin ng opisyal na mula Enero hanggang
Agosto ngayong taon, may kabuuang 2,000 Caraganons na ang nakabenepisyo sa
kanilang “Project Heart.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
'Tsuper iskolar' ng TESDA at DOTr, inilunsad sa Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
Layun ng programang “Tsuper Iskolar” na
makapagbigay ng skills training at madagdagan ang kaalaman ng mga benepisyaryo
sa PUVMP, pati na sa entrepreneurship o pagnenegosyo.
Sa isinagawang pagtitipon ng mga operators,
drivers at ibat-ibang sektor sa lungsod ng Butuan, mas naintindihan nila ang
magandang intensyon at oportunidad na hatid ng nasabing programa.
“Buo po ang aking suporta sa programang ito ng
gobyerno at alam kong marami itong matutulongan. Mabibigyan po ng oportunidad
na patuloy pa rin ang kabuhayan ng mga maaapektuhan ng modernization program sa
pamamagitan nitong tsuper iskolar program,” pahayag ni Elizalde Mission,
operator of Balangay Transport Service Cooperative (BALTRANSCO).
Ayon kay Dir. Florencio Sunico, spokesperson ng
TESDA, alinsunod ang scholarship program sa nilagdaang memorandum of agreement
ng DOTr at TESDA noong December 11, 2018 para sa Stakeholder Support Mechanism
Component ng PUVMP.
Sa ilalim ng tsuper iskolar, makatatanggap ng food
at transportation allowance ang mga benepisyaryo habang sumasailalim sa
pagsasanay.
Sinabi naman ni Atty. Martin Delgra III,
chairperson ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), na
layon ng ahensiya na mapalago pa ang transport sector at umangat ang kakayanan
at pamumuhay ng sektor at kanilang kaanak. Base sa kanilang monitoring,
positibo ang pagtanggap ng mga Caraganon sa nasabing programa, at marami pa
itong matutulongan.
Samantala, ibinahagi naman ni TESDA Caraga
Regional Director Ashary Banto na marami na ring indibidwal mula sa ibat-ibang
sektor ang komunsulta sa kanilang ahensiya at nais makabenepisyo sa scholarship
program.
Regular din daw na pinapatupad ng ahensiya ang iba
pang programang tutugon sa pangangailangan ng sektor sa rehiyon.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
200 miyembro, supporters ng NPA nagbalik-loob sa gobyerno
By May Amor O. Alabado
LUNGSOD NG CABADBARAN, Agusan del Norte, Setyembre
27 (PIA) -- Mahigit 200 myembro at supporters ng New People's Army o NPA sa
tatlong barangay ng RTR, Agusan del Norte ang nagbalik loob at
makikipagtulongan sa gobyerno upang tuluyang sugpuin ang insurhensiya sa lugar.
Sa ginawang provincial peace and order council o
PPOC immersion sa barangay ng Tagbongabong sa bayan ng RTR, nanumpa silang
itakwil ang teroristang grupo at nangakong makipagtulungan sa gobyerno at
makipag-ugnayan sila sa militar upang tuluyang masugpo ang mga gawaing
terorista ng mga NPA.
Pahayag pa ni Rocky, dating miyembro ng militia ng
bayan, malaki ang tulong ng kanyang pagbabalik-loob sa gobyerno dahil
makapag-aral na ng maayos ang kanyang anak.
Isinalaysay din ni Edwin ang hirap na kanyang
naranasan noong siya pa ay miyembro ng NPA, umaasa siyang sa pagbabalik-loob
nya sa gobyerno mag iba ang takbo ng kanyang buhay.
Ayon kay Brigadier General Maurito Licudine ng
402nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army ang barangay ng Tagbungabong,
Balang-balang, San Antonio at Mahaba sa bayan ng RTR ay mga rebel-infested
barangays kung saan dito ang mga NPA kumukuha ng mga bago nilang kaanib at mga
susuporta. (May Amor O. Alabado/NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
