OVER 400 PEOPLE SERVED BY DOCTORS IN KABACAN MEDICAL/SURGICAL MISSION

The medical staff of the Maharlika Medical Foundation supported by members of the Rural Health Units of Kabacan and M’lang and volunteers which included my own daughterS, Dr. Maria Krista and Josa Bernadette who is a nurse and a medical student, was literally overwhelmed by the multitude of people who flocked to the Bannawag market area yesterday, Feb. 2.

The one-day medical and surgical mission was able to serve over 400 patients who sought medical attention, including cataract examination.

But only 49 surgeries were performed by mission head Dr. Benedict Valdez and his assistants even as the surgical procedures stretched from early morning until 5 p.m.

A huge number of patients supposed to undergo minor surgeries had to be advised to wait for another scheduled medical and surgical mission set March 2 in Pikit, North Cotabato.

The medical/surgical mission which I and the Maharlika Medical Foundation have jointly undertaken for many years now was supported by Senator Chiz Escudero who provided the medicines given out for free to patients and also Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn.

In the Bannawag, Kabacan Medical and Surgical Mission, Mayor Hagedorn, who vying for a seat in the Senate in the 2013 elections, provided additional funds to be used in buying medicines which were not available in inventory of the mission.

Kabacan Mayor George Tan and many of Kabacan’s barangay chairmen were present during the event which was considered to be the biggest medical and surgical mission in the town.

Bannawag barangay chairman Gerson Laoagan efficiently handled the actvity with the support of my personal staff headed by Joyce Tupas.