Lanao Norte kids receive free surgery from Maharlika Charity Foundation

Thursday 20th of September 2012

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Sept 20 -- Sixty nine children, aged eight months to 10 years old, from different towns of this province received free surgical operation from the Maharlika Charity Foundation Incorporated (MCFI).

The three-day medical mission held September 10 to 13 at Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital in the town of Baroy was intended for indigent children suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate, hydrocele and hernia.

For its part, the local government of Lanao del Norte provided the necessary medical facilities, surgical equipment, operation room supplies, food and hotel accommodation for the medical team involved in the humanitarian mission.

The free surgeries were sponsored by MCFI through its Brotherhood Operation Sweet Smile Project, led by Dr. Rizal D. Aportadera, surgeon and MCFI president.

In total, 63 cases of cleft lip, four cleft palates, one hydrocele and one case of hernia were successfully operated by the medical team. Patients were also given free medicines for their full recovery.

“We are very happy that Lanao del Norte was identified as one of the stops in the Mindanao-wide surgical mission of MCFI. Truly, they (medical team) are examples of our modern-day heroes,” Provincial Health Officer Idelfonso Nisnisan said.

The 20-member medical team was composed of doctors, nurses, volunteers and social workers from the sponsoring foundation. The provincial government also assigned doctors and nurses to augment the visiting MCFI team.

“The free surgery is a life-changing gift to these poor children and gives one more reason to smile about. To the Maharlika Charity Foundation, thank you for coming to Lanao del Norte,” said Gemma Harun, Provincial Resource Management Center head.

MCFI is based in Davao City and was founded in May 1973 to provide free surgical services to the poor and the needy, especially those living in interior barangays.

Previously, MCFI conducted a similar medical mission in the town of Monkayo, in Compostela Valley.

Other identified stops of the medical team will be in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Norte, in M'lang in North Cotabato, and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. (Vincent N. Labial & Lovely A. Rosario/PIO-LDN/PIA10)