Cataract operations may have cost P65M

HEALTH authorities here agree that recent cataract and denture fitting mission in Bohol could have cost a whooping P65M, a sum, which the Provincial Government's health program may spend for a whole year. This as 1351 indigent Boholanos went home after the mission with fully restored eyesight after being haunted with the film of white that was to be cataract. Sources said a normal cataract operation costs about P40 to P50T. In the weeklong medical mission, not only were those with impaired visions served. Another group of toothless indigents went home with perfect teeth, courtesy of the same mission.

The Bohol medical mission and services giving was in cooperation with the First Gentleman Foundation is also the biggest humanitarian mission approved by the office of the President and sponsored by the provincial government of Bohol thru Gov. Erico Aumentado. The mission, a programmed humanitarian activity directly benefited Boholanos who otherwise could not have found a way to have restored eyesight dimmed by cataract. Not without the ready cash. For the opportunity, Governor Erico Aumentado expressed his gratitude and sincere thanks for the thousands of indigent Boholano beneficiaries of the biggest cataract operations in the country's health program.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the First Gentlemen Foundation through lawyer Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo brought the mission here. The activity was also supported by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office through Chairman Sergio Osmeña-Valencia, the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists thru Chairman William Dy and the surgical team headed by Dr. Federico Malubay. Bohol Health and Social Services Consultant Francisca Baluyot, who concurrently heads Philippine Gift of Life, Inc. coordinated for the project.

Heading the experts was Dr. Malubay, a certified diplomate fellow and laser eye microvascular surgeon, who is an international member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a trustee of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology. Assisting Malubay were doctors William Dy, a fellow surgeon and Chairman of the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialist and DOH Consultant; Elmer Punzalan, Philippine Children's Medical Hospital Chief of Staff along with 19 other physicians and 18 nurses who all performed the operations.

The operation started May 27 until June 9, while post operative examinations will be done on July 23-25, 2006 at the Bohol Cultural Center , said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot. Aside from the cataract beneficiaries, 5,333 patients were examined, treated and were given free medicines at the Governor's Mansion and Bohol Cultural Center. "We will operate you the way we operate millionaires and will use lenses as expensive as we used to these rich people", Malubay said, which brought admiration from the beneficiaries.

Governor Aumentado thanks the individuals who helped realize the historice event for Bohol . Congressmen Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Eladio Ja1a along with League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Josephine Socorro Jumamoy; Vice Gov Julius Caesar Herrera, Alturas Group of Companies; Bohol Quality Corporation, Bohol Tropics Resort; First Consolidated Bank Richard Uy and Philippine Councilors League.

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