American, RP docs in joint medical mission in Sarangani

KIAMBA, Sarangani (March 4, 2008) – Thirty-seven year old Salvio Trinidad of barangay Kling has finally freed himself from the burden he carried on his shoulder for more than seven years.

After an hour of surgery on Saturday (Mar. 1), a cyst as big as chicken egg was removed from his left shoulder.

For Trinidad who is paid for carrying loads of wood for a living, even a P300 consultation fee to see a specialist in nearby General Santos City is so hard to produce.

"The lump on my shoulder worried me a lot for seven years. I'm afraid it is already a cancer," Trinidad said.

Trinidad is one of the 65 poor patients from remote villages of Sarangani who availed of free surgical operation by two American doctors, Dr. Samuel Evans and Dr. Peter Autchinson.

Trinidad expressed his deep gratitude to Dr. Evans who performed the operation.

Evans and Autchinson were tapped by the local government of Sarangani to do minor operations for free during the three-day "Joint Medical, Surgical and Dental Missions" spearheaded by the offices of the Vice Governor and Governor of Sarangani with the support of the municipal governments, Non-Government Organizations and volunteer medical practitioners.

The medical missions from February 28 to March 1 in barangays Upper Biangan and Malandag in Malungon and barangay Kling in Kiamba served around 1,055 beneficiaries with medical consultation and free medicines.

More than 300 patients availed of tooth extractions, 14 kids were circumcised and 65 patients had minor operations, majority of which are suffering from cystitis.

In Malandag, a team of dentists from Metro Gensan Dental Society provided free services in celebration of the National Dental Health Month with the theme "Isang Siglong Pangangalaga ng Ngiting Pilipino Kaisa ng Buong Mundo."

Dentists Joel Aklan, Ma. Theresa Antoque, Claris Cereso, Asesclo and Leonora Madrid gave their services to beneficiaries in barangay Kling and its nearby villages Gasi, Lagundi, and Kayupo. Board Member Nicanor Ballan and Kiamba Councilor Rosemarie Young, both dentists, also shared their free service.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Antonio Yasaña, Dr. Roel Cagape, Dr. Edwin Pinili, and Dr. Elmer de Peralta, the vice mayor of Kiamba, attended to the medical needs of the beneficiaries composed of Muslims, Christians and Lumads.

Karl Vincent Quiepo, executive director of RD Foundation brought medicines that could cater to 250 beneficiaries in barangay Kling. Other medicines were provided by the International Monitoring Team.

The Philippine National Red Cross also participated in Kling through free blood typing and blood letting by donors. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/GCK)