‘MISYON PAGMAMAHAL’ MEDICAL/SURGICAL TEAM GOES TO THE HEART OF BANGSAMORO COUNTRY

(photo caption: Dr. Benedict Valdez, head of the Maharlika medical and surgical is shown operating a patient in Midsayap, North Cotabato Dec. 1, 2012.)

The Davao City-based Maharlika Medical Charity Foundation led by veteran doctor and philantrophist Dr. Rizal Aportadera goes to the heart of Bangsamoro Land when it undertakes another medical and surgical mission in Takepan, Pikit, North Cotabato on March 2 and 3.

Targets of the medical mission will be Bangsamoro and Christian residents of Pikit and the nearby towns of Pagalungan, Aleosan and Maguindanao, including combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and their families.

Dr. Benedict Valdez, head of mission, said the Maharlika Medical Charity Foundation mobile hospital, which is actually a 16-wheel truck-drawn facility, will be brought to Takepan for the 2-day activity which is being supported by Barangay Chairman Andrew Lomibao and the local government unit of Pikit under Mayor Sumulong Sultan.

Those who contributed to make this activity possible were the friends of Sen. Chiz Escudero, the friends of Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, presidential uncle Paul Aquino who is the father of senatorial candidate Bam Aquino, Cong. Jesus N. Sacdalan, retired colonel Samuel G. Afdal, Benny Gopez of Mizuno Philippines, the friends of Manny Pinol, Saranggani Congressman and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) under Sec. Ging Deles.

Dr. Valdez said he has also communicated with the leadership of the MILF and informed them of the activity so that MILF combatants based in Pikit and nearby areas and their families who need medical attention would be served.

“We are doing this to support the peace efforts of Pres. Noynoy Aquino,” said Dr. Valdez who has worked closely with the province of North Cotabato in conducting medical missions in the province since 2005.

The medical and surgical mission is usually scheduled for one day but in the case of the Bangsamoro Mission, Dr. Valdez said he and his team decided to do it for two days because of the huge number of patients that they expect to come to Takepan, Pikit.

Minor surgeries for cysts will be done in the field while those with cleft lip and palate, goiter, cataract, myoma and those needing major operations will be screened and brought to Davao City.