Capitol offers free bone surgery

The Provincial Health Office is offering free surgical packages for all constituents of Cebu province suffering from degenerative bone diseases like Osteoarthritis.

Dr. Rene Catan, PHO head, said the program was designed to help the elderly.

“This is a part of the program sa government karon to address health needs sa elderly,” Catan said.

According to him, based on the demographics in the country the number of people with degenerative bone problem is growing. He said the program started last August. The services are available in four provincial hospitals — Balamban, Carcar, Danao, and Bogo.

Although the surgical procedure is free, Catan said the patients will still have to shell out a minimal cost for the implants.

“Kung naa man gani silay bayran, minimal ra kay i-shoulder man sa hospital ang cost sa surgery unya ang professional fee i-absorb sab sa PhilHealth,” said Catan.

“Dili ni nato ipabuhat sa mga gagmay'ng ospitals. Among giidentify karon is ang Carcar ug Balamban, because they have the best operating room facilities,” Catan added.

At present, the program is focused on knee and hip replacement procedures or the Arthroplasty.

The procedure will be performed by Catan himself along with his colleagues from the Philippine Osteoarthritis Research Society (POARS).

The first patient to have availed of the program was a 69-year-old woman from Bacolod who has relatives in Balamban. Jenith Gelbolingo, program coordinator, said the operation was done last December 6.

“Pag-admit niya mga less than five days, nadischarge na dayon siya,” Gelbolingo said.

She said that even patients without PhilHealth can still avail of the free surgery because they will help them enroll in the Point of Care service.

The Point of Care service provides mechanism for less privileged Filipinos who are admitted in health care facilities but are not members of PhilHealth.