Tau Omega Mu holds medical missions in Samar, Leyte

The Tau Omega Mu Fraternity and Ladies Circle is holding medical missions in key cities and towns in Eastern Visayas as part of activities to mark the organization’s foundation 46 years ago at the University of the Philippines.

The medical missions will include free surgeries, such as thyroidectomy, hysterectomy, myomectomy, herniorrhaphy, cholecystectomy, along with cyst, lipoma and uncomplicated breast mass incisions, as well as cataract removal, circumcision and other general surgeries.

In coordination with the Department of Health (DoH) and concerned local governments units, the initial phase of the medical missions kicked off last Aug. 6 through the simultaneous conduct of pre-surgery evaluations of potential surgical patients in designated DoH regional health units in the cities of Catbalogan and Calbayog in Samar.

The medical missions culminate between Oct. 8 to 12, when pre-evaluated indigent patients undergo the free surgical procedures at the RHUs in Catbalogan (for various surgical issues) and Calbayog (for cataract problem only). The surgeons in Catbalogan will be led by volunteers from Memphis Outreach, a USbased non-government organization, while Filipino doctors will perform the free cataract surgeries in Calbayog.

As part of culmination activities, other medical volunteers will hold free consultations and distribution of free medicines and reading glasses in RHUs in Calbayog (Oct. 9); Pinabacdao, Samar (Oct. 8 and 10); Alang-Alang, Leyte (Oct. 11); and Baybay also in Leyte (Oct. 12).

The last day of the medical mission coincides with the organization’s foundation day on Oct. 12. Tau Omega Mu was established on that day in UP in 1972. It has since established chapters in various schools all over the Philippines, as well as overseas alumni organizations, known collectively as Tau Omega Mu International.

Aside from concerned government agencies and Memphis Outreach, other NGOs, as well as individuals from the US and Europe, extended their support to the medical missions, through Tau Omega Mu International. Other members and friends who want to help the activity are encouraged to get in touch with Dr. Rutche Egos at 0917-790-1587; and Lovella Libertad at 0906-3793440.