By Frances Kristine Alvero/Philippine News Agency
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — It’s all systems go for Sarangani province’s week-long “grand” surgical, medical and dental mission set starting Sunday, which is expected to benefit thousands of residents anew.
Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said in a statement issued on Friday that at least 150 doctors and medical workers have confirmed their participation in the activity, which will be held at the provincial hospital in Alabel town.
Solon said they partnered with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Medical Missions Inc. and the General Santos Doctors Hospital for the holding of the province’s first grand medical mission this year.
The participating doctors from UST, who will work with the medical team of the General Santos Doctors Hospital, include experts in various fields based in Manila and abroad, he said.
The Provincial Health Office has screened more than a thousand patients for the major and surgical operations, as well as for other medical and dental services, which will run until June 15.
Asma Akmad, manager of the local government’s Serbisyong Sarangan Community Outreach Program, said the major operations will include patients with myoma, goiter, colon problems, gall stones, thyroid problems, hernia, and cataract-pterygium.
She said the mission’s medical team will conduct the final screening for the major cases at the provincial hospital, which is located inside the capitol compound, on Sunday morning.
“This will determine whether a patient is qualified to undergo major surgical operation and when it will be conducted,” she said.
Akmad said there will be no pre-screening for minor surgical operations, which include cases of minor cysts.
The operations for minor surgical cases are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, she said.
Aside from the surgical operations, Akmad said the team will also conduct free medical and dental check-ups, consultations and other outpatient services from June 10 to 13.
She said the local government will provide free medicines to the patients and other related services.
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