SPMC, HALAD CONDUCT SURGICAL MISSION
The five-day surgical mission was held in Tawi-Tawi
Despite the recent bombing and threats in Jolo Sulu, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) together with Halad Mission Group Foundation of Mati and Social Concerns Foundation Davao conducted a free surgical mission in Tawi-Tawi on February 9-14, 2019.
Tawi-Tawi cannot be accessed easily that it makes difficult for its hospital to attend to all patients due to its lack of medical equipment, medicine, and healthcare staff.
Thus, this surgical and cataract mission is a truly blessing to the patients and residents of the province.
“The only way for them to go to the hospital is through riding a boat since their municipalities are scattered in islands. It is really hard for them when- ever they have emergencies. It will take 16 hours for them to go to Zamboanga by boat and taking a plane would be too expensive for them,” Dr. Rolley Rey Lobo said.
There are about 250 patients catered by the volunteers of each institution led by Dr. Lobo at the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital.
Eighty seven of these are minor cases, 100 eye surgery patients, 16 with thyroid cases, 11 Chole patients, all laparoscopic with one laparoscopic CBDE T-Tube, seven Hernia cases, three fistulectomy cases, seven excision cases under GA or spinal, 12 cleft lip and palate cases, 20 patients are given pedia clinic consultations and four patients with stat cases catered.
“The mission was a success. We are happy that the people in Tawi-Tawi were very thankful because we were able to help and serve them. We have seen that the people there still think positively despite what they are going through in life,” Dr. Lobo added.
This surgical mission wouldn’t be possible without the help of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Philippine Air Force, 2nd Maring Brigade, Congresswoman Hja Ruby Sahali, Governor Rashidin Matba, Mayor Yshamel Mang Sali, Mayor Regie-Sahali-Generale of P. Sugala, Mayor Jimwell Que of Bongao, Dr. Sangkula Laha, Provincial Health officer of Tawi-Tawi, and all the Halad volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists and nursing attendants.