Biggest eye operation

Bohol’s Second District has witnessed starting yesterday what could so far be the biggest free cataract operation in the area comprised by 14 towns.

District constituents with visual defects have until Wednesday, May 18, to get precious gifts of sight in the five-day eye surgical mission done at the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay.

The free operation to benefit some 500 eye patients is facilitated by the Philippine Gift of Life (PGOL) under its president and chief executive officer, Francisca Baluyot, widely reputed asBohol’s “living saint of the sick.”

The humanitarian work is courtesy of the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists (PAMS) thru its president, Dr. Prisco Yap Pendon, and outreach program head, Dr. Federico Malubay, who is a PGOL consultant.

It is sponsored by Rep. Erico Aumentado and assisted by the provincial government led by Gov. Edgar Chatto and Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, said Baluyot who is a former long-time Red Cross – Bohol administrator.

Baluyot, also the governor’s consultant on medical-surgical mission, said the recipients come from the towns of Mayors Niño Rey Boniel of Bien Unido; Ronald Lowell Tirol, Buenavista; Allen Ray Piezas, Clarin; Germinio Relampagos, Dagohoy; Louis Thomas Gonzaga, Danao; Jose Jono Jumamoy, Inabanga; Cary Camacho, Getafe; Tesalonica Boyboy, Pres. Garcia; Ricardo Suarez, Sagbayan; Jacinto Naraga, San Isidro; Claudio Bonior, San Miguel; Restituto Auxtero, Talibon; Roberto Cajes, Trinidad, and Eutiquio Bernales, Ubay.

The provincial government led by Chatto last night tendered a welcome reception to theManila surgical team who arrived here on Friday.

Eye operations started yesterday until Wednesday, which will be followed by the patients’ post-operative check-up on Thursday.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) head Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot said that the Pres. Carlos P. Garcial Memorial Hospital in Talibon under Dr. Harold Gallego and other province-run devolved hospitals are cooperating in the mission.

Baluyot said the mission is likewise supported by the Department of Health (DOH) thru Drs. Enrique Ona and Elmer Punzalan, also a PGOL consultant, Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) health committee chair Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, himself a doctor, the Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP) – Bohol Chapter thru president Dr. Arnold Cagulada, and Rotary Club of Ubay thru its head, Dr. Pelagia Reyes, and Dr. Sony Sumnga.

The eye operation at no cost to the Boholano patients is further aided by constant supporter Philippine CharitySweepstakes Office (PCSO) thru Chairperson Margarita Juico and Vice Pres. for the Visayas and Mindanao William Medici.

Herself numerously honored, Baluyot has been instrumental to Bohol’s humanitarian excellence awards and recognitions from DOH and foreign foundations, including those bestowed for the Gift of Life works in the capitol incumbency of Aumentado.

In the past nine or 10 years, the province witnessed 209 surgical missions, including four major heart operations, accounting for 53,015 patients and 280,000 medical beneficiaries or a total of 341,515 individual recipients.

All these humanitarian surgical-medical missions and free outreach programs coordinated by Baluyot’s Gift of Life, which chairman is US-based Dr. Ramie Cadag, could cost over P1.5 billion if quantified—and paid.

They were supported by various provincial and national agencies, medical professional groups, international foundations, local government units, business and other sectors, and mass media, among others.

For the on-going cataract operation in the Second District, Baluyoit also thanked in advance the Ubay LGU led by its mayor and the Del Valle Hospital under Dr. Valeria Sulatra.

Baluyot cited his fellows in the Gift of Life who include Fr. Victor Bompat, vice president; Peter Dejaresco, corporate secretary; Engr. Albert Uy, treasurer; Judith Ang, auditor; Dr. Ludgerio Torres, chief consultant; and Dr. Mary Ann Ruiz, Richard Uy, Benjamin Ong, Dr. Teofilo Recitas, Dr. Edgar Lerias and Joseph Alagon, directors.

The other consultants are doctors Avelino Ventura, Francisco Dizon, Santos Jose Abad, Florante Lomibao, Lourdes Casas, Edgardo Ortiz, Kazan Baluyot and Julia Maape.

The Gift of Life advisers are Chatto, Aumentado, and former Tagbilaran Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak.

The surgical team will be treated to a recognition night reception on Wednesday, according to Baluyot who is even recognized as a luminary in the Philippine humanitarian cause.(Ven rebo Arigo)