DAVAO CITY — The Operation Smile surgical team is on a mission in Davao City again to bring joy to over a hundred children with cleft lips and palates at the Brokenshire Integrated Hospital Ministries (BIHM).
The 48-man surgical mission, which runs until May 4, was made possible through the partnership of Operation Smile, the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) and its two clients, Phoenix Petroleum and the construction firm, Ulticon Builders.
This is the second in Davao City in five months following the surgical mission last November, in which 350 oral cleft patients were treated at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center. This time Operation Smile targets 120 children and young adults.
Roberto Manzano, the country director of Development for Operation Smile – Philippines, said the treatment of cleft lips and palates makes a difference in terms of acceptance in the community.
Manzano said oral cleft conditions impact on the life of the people, especially children because of self-esteem issues and other negative outcomes such as bullying. These, he said, lead others to drop out of school and grow into adulthood uneducated.
“It has been a challenge to Operation Smile to give the poor the access to safe surgery and provide treatment to each new case,” he said.
Manzano said that each year there are 5,000 new-born babies with oral cleft. Most of the cleft cases are born to poor families that cannot afford the surgical cost.
Over the years since 1982, Operation Smile has treated 31,904 Filipinos. Of the total number, 16,440 are from Mindanao or 52 percent of the nationwide data.
“The free surgery will change their lives dramatically,” said Higinio Macadaeg, the president and CEO of UCPB.
Operation Smile, UCPB, Phoenix and Ulticon Builders pooled their resources to fund the surgical mission. Also, UCPB employees have been able to raise PHP2.25 million for the project.
Macadaeg said each patient needs PHP15,000 for the operation and aftercare. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
