142 indigent patients from far-flung areas in Samar Island benefitted surgical outreach program of 8ID and partners

By DPAO, 8ID PA
July 1, 2019

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar – A total of 142 indigent patients benefited during the two-day Samar Island Surgical Outreach Program at Camp Lukban Station Hospital on June 27-28, 2019.

The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army led by its Commander, Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio in collaboration with DU30 Cabinet Spouses Association, Inc. led by its President, Atty. Betty Medialdia, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, GMA Kapuso Foundation and Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center with the support of Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Presidential Management Staff, Samar Provincial Hospital, Local Government Units in the Region 8, Naval Task Group 2 and other stakeholders conducted the Surgical Outreach Program to extend health services specially surgical treatment to the indigent patients from the conflict affected areas in Samar Island.

This 2-day activity was able to treat 38 major cases, 80 minor cases, 13 consultations and referred 11 cases to Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC).

Two weeks prior to this activity, patients of different surgical cases underwent series of pre-screening process to qualify them for the said surgical outreach program or be referred to other hospitals for treatment. Furthermore, bloodletting activity was also conducted at Camp Lukban wherein soldiers voluntarily donated a total of 84,150 cc of different types of blood for the patients.

Most of the patients were taken from the far-flung barangays by the Community Support Program (CSP) teams of 8ID in collaboration with the barangay officials, barangay health workers and social workers. They have undergone the Pre-Screening on Sites at the respective Rural Health Services with the assistance of the Municipal Health Officers. The patients were provided with transportation assistance by the Infantry Battalions and MLGUs. In some areas, our CSP teams took 1-2 days of trekking to bring the patients to the nearest road-net before availing transportation assistance.

Medical experts from EVRMC and World Surgical Foundation (WSF) Philippines headed by Dr. Lester Suntay shared their expertise by conducting surgical operations to the patients with the assistance of Lt. Colonel Dionido Napalang, Commanding Officer of Camp Lukban Station Hospital.

“Lahat na makakaya namin ay gagawin namin para makatulong sa ating mga kababayan sa Samar Island gaya ng ginawa namin sa Marawi,” Dr. Suntay stated.

On the other hand, Atty. Betty Medialdia, President, DU30 Cabinet Spouses Association, Inc. is appreciative of the warm reception accorded to them and their partners by 8ID and the beneficiaries.

In her statement during the opening ceremony, Atty. Medialdia said that “We have faith that our mission will be successful at makaka-uwi po sila (patients) ng maayos.”

Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, Commander, 8ID was glad and grateful to the services or support extended by the different partners and stakeholders who worked hand-in-hand for the success of the Samar Island Surgical Outreach Program.