US-based Filipino surgeons returns to Samar for a week-long surgical mission

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Jan. 22 (PNA) – The Society of Philippine Surgeons in America will once again visit this city for a surgical mission on Jan. 24 - 29.

City health officer Sylvia De Guzman said that it would be the second time for the society to extend its free medical services to residents. The first time was five years ago.

De Guzman said that for this year’s surgical mission, at least 150 patients from this city and neighboring towns in the first district of Samar was listed after series of screenings.

At least 80 major surgical cases and the remaining in the list were minor cases set for operation in three identified hospitals in the city – St. Camillus Hospital, Calbayog Sanitarium Hospital and Our Lady of Purziuncula Hospital.

These cases were classified as Thyroidectomy, Hernioraphy, Hemorrhoidectomy, Mastectomy, Cholecstomy, OB-Pathologies and mass/minor surgery.

De Guzman said that Filipino surgeons who conduct the free surgery would arrive on Sunday. Final screening and scheduling of patient’s operation will be conducted the same day at the Calbayog City Sports Center.

Patient’s operation will be on Jan. 25 to 28, while the last day of the doctor’s stay in the city on Jan. 29 will be devoted to management of operated patients to make sure that there are no complications in the operations conducted.

In its official website, spsatoday.com, Society of Philippines Surgeons in America said that more than 50 volunteers of surgeons, anesthesiologists, anesthetists, ancillary support personnel from different parts of the United States, Canada and Europe will comprise the team for the mission in this city.

De Guzman said that there were also local doctors who volunteered for the mission.

According to her, the surgical mission is likewise an advantage to those volunteer health professionals since they will also gain some knowledge and experience from those visiting doctors practicing abroad.

The said surgical mission was supported by the city government and Office of the Congressman of Samar first district. (PNA)

RMA/SQM/JENNIFER SUMAGANG–ALLEGADO