325 Bataraza Palawan residents benefit from Hope for the World Foundation Inc. Surgical Mission 2023
As the yearly surgical mission in Bataraza town enters its 20th year, some 325 residents in southern Palawan have qualified to undergo both minor and major surgical procedures.
A free surgical operation is given to selected patients through the combined initiatives of the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation ( RTNMC) and Coral Bay Nickel Corporation ( CNBC), Manila Adventist Hospital, and Hope for the World Foundation Inc.
There will be 75 patients with major problems, 250 minor cases, ophthalmology consultations, and more.
The initiator of the mission, Dr. Robinson Baron, noted that the program started with 20 patients but has since expanded to hundreds.
It started as a medical mission but changed into a surgical operation, which was done in Puerto Princesa at first and then transferred to Bataraza town to reach people in the south.
“Actually, we just want to confine ourselves to medical and surgical mission, we want to become bigger and bigger and go back to Puerto Princesa area. We want to cover the whole Palawan. This place became close to us,” Dr. Robinson Baron said.
Joining the team of medical volunteers is author, stem cell advocate, and humanitarian Lourdes Duque Baron.
As a team, the surgical mission is looking to expand help to diverse cases, which are typically handled only in hospitals in Manila.
Bringing in expertise, advanced medicines, and surgical know-how to hopefully aid in improving the quality of lives of communities that are being tackled by the surgical mission.
Goiter, cleft palate, thyroid, myoma, hemorrhoids, gallstones, and hernia are the major cases to be treated.
Minor cases, on the other hand, include cysts, tumors, and other removals, as well as cataracts, pterygium, and other ophthalmology consultations.
According to Dr. Ronan Drian Pare, Medical Director of RTNFI Hospital, mining companies’ support is critical in the conduct of surgical missions where various cases are treated.
“Ito ay sponsored ng ating companies na maibigay nang libre, maoperahan at mabigyan ng solusyon ang kanilang medical problems. Hopefully ay ma-maintain natin ang target natin ang at least 200 patients, we hope na ma-reach pa natin yong higher,” he said.
Stories of Hope & Renewal
Richard Garcia, 33, has been suffering from a testicle hydrocele since 2019. In 2020, he attempted screening and, thankfully, passed. However, the pandemic began, and the operation was postponed.
He tried again after learning of a surgical procedure scheduled for 2023 and was chosen as one of the patients for the major operation.
“Naalis sa akin yong sakit na yon, parang nabunutan ako ng tinik. Hindi na ako nagwo-worry at nagpapasalamat ako sa RTN at CBNC na may ganoong opportunity na makatulong sa mga taga-Palawan,” he said.
Even patients with minor illnesses, such as Rey Alojado, were helped by the operation. Alojado, unable to identify his own case, decided to take advantage of the free operation to alleviate his concerns.
“Itong laman na maliit sa ulo ko, may ilang buwan na rin ata. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong tawag, gusto ko ipatanggal kasi minsan masakit-sakit baka magkaroon ng ugat-ugat. Malaking tulong ito kesa gagastos ka pa,” he said.
The budget for this year almost surpassed P5 million thanks to shares of RTNMC and CBNC.
Both businesses offered the patient and partner further assistance in the form of medication and laboratory tests.
Sanggunian Bayan councilor and CBNC community relations general supervisor Laurence Amores said the company’s involvement in the mission is also part of its support of health programs in the province.
The CBNC assisted with information dissemination and pre-screening, including mapping of patients throughout Palawan’s southern towns. Volunteers extended their service from three to five days, beginning February 6 and ending February 10.
“For the last 20 years, naging partner na ang CBNC sa surgical mission na ito — Very evident na aside from education, ito yong equally important sa CBNC kasi yong health services ay kinakailangan ng mga kababayan natin, especially sa south ay malaki pa. Yong dapat iabot natin ay malaki pa,” he said.
Aside from the mission, CBNC and RTNMC also continuously extend support to the town’s district hospital and subsidies to the RTNFI Hospital for indigent locals.
© Palawan News: Rachel Ganancial
https://palawan-news.com/325-bataraza-locals-to-benefit-from-rtn-cbnc-surgical-mission/