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| Pinoy News Mar06 |
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| FILAM Center |
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by Dr. Ed Cabigao
For our 7th annual medical mission, the venue was Sagay City in Negros Occidental, land of sugar, goats, and beautiful people. From the welcome at the airport in Bacolod to the penultimate beach outing, the volunteer team were treated like kings and queens. The local organizers led by Mayor Fortunato Javelosa, Monse Williams, and Atty. Franklin Demonteverde, were very organized and punctually efficient, yet accomodating and hospitable.
Street dancers welcomed us to our accomodations at Balay Kauswagan, a clean and comfortable resort. Every meal was a feast that included "lechon" every night. The local health workers were helpful in making the mission run smoothly. Dr. Juanito Abastillas, chief of hospital, was the overall local coordinator; and unlike past hospital chiefs, he restored my faith in Filipino doctors with his diligent work ethic, perseverance, and commitment to the local populace. The staff of the district hospital, where all the surgeries were done, not only were cheerfully accomodating, but also uncomplainingly helpful. Same can be said of the local volunteers in the free clinics, which were held in different barangays in the 4 days of the mission. On our final day, we were treated to a most relaxing beach outing in Carbin Reef, a marine sanctuary off Sagay City.
Medical Mission Results |
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|---|---|
| Patients treated in free clinics: 2,278 | |
| Major surgeries: 48 | |
| Minor surgeries: 146 | |
| Surgeries included: cleft lip/palate repairs, thyroidectomies, herniorrhaphies, ovarian cystectomies, BTLs, circumcisions, and those never-ending lumps and bumps. | |
| Medical Mission Unsung Heroes | |
| Physicians | Drs. Connie Babu, Mike Beal, Mely Bostre-Teeter, Olivia Cabigao, Dinia Cruz-Reyes, Raffy Dizon, Rachel Farmer, Linda Gage-White, Arlene Gan, Ben Izsak, Mike Mostyn, Edwin Pacia, Sandra Reed, and Avelino Reyes. |
| Nurses | Lilia Cariaga, Nora Labrador, Stephanie Robinson, Beth Tyus, and Maita Velez |
| Lay | Nestor Ilagan, Henry Labrador, Clair White, Monse Williams, Bella Villorente |
| Youth | Andrew Cabigao, Ed Cabigao, Nica Cabigao, Gina Cariaga, Rex Cariaga, Alex Izsak, and Leon Izsak |
Many first-timers, especially the youth, had a life-changing and eye-opening experience. We thank the Sagaynons for allowing us to make a difference
in their lives as much as they have made a difference in ours.
Needless to say, this has been our best and most successful mission to date.
Click here to view the 2004 Medical Mission Photo Album
2006 Medical Mission destination: Sariaya, Quezon