American NGO brings smiles to Antique's children
San Jose, Antique -- Uplift International, a non-government organization based in Colorado, USA, recently brought smiles to Antique's children through the harelip surgical operation.
According to Juliana O. Cepe, President of the Rotary Club of Antique, "Operation Taghoy" of Uplift International is conducting a surgical mission for Harelip cases (cleft lip and palate) to more than 80 patients at Angel Salazar General Memorial Hospital from February 18-March 3, 2006.
Edie Bryan, Outreach Coordinator of Uplift International said that there were 102 patients who were subjected to preliminary screening but only 88 were qualified for operation. " We want to put on a happy face to these children who were constrained to smile because of their being harelip", she said. The operation covered patients 20 years and below including infant 6 months old provided they are healthy and fit to undergo operation.
Uplift International shouldered all the expenses from screening, surgery, medications, hospitalization and even transportation cost of some patients especially those coming from remote barangays. The Provincial Government, Rotary Club of Antique, Antique Medical Society and other civic spirited individuals provided for food and accommodation of the surgical team as a sign of gratitude and genuine hospitality.
Aside from surgeons, the team includes anesthesiologists, pediatricians, anesthetist, orthodontists, maxillofacial surgery expert, and nurses. Most of the medical crews were from Colorado, United States of America, some were from United Kingdom, Belgium, Hongkong, and Africa. The founder of Uplift International is Dr. Jaime Yrastorza a surgeon from Ormoc, Leyte, also head of the mission.
The source further revealed that it was their 7th Medical Mission, and only Philippines mostly in Ormoc Leyte. Last year they did a similar surgical mission in the town of Kalibo, Aklan. Their group according to Bryan is about 16 years in existence.
The mission also commended the programs of the Provincial Government of Antique especially those on social services that caters to the needs of the underprivileged especially the children. They are also happy to hear that speech therapy is being planned for these children after the harelip operation.
"Operation Taghoy" is a rare opportunity, for harelip patients to restore their self-esteem and bring back smiles into their faces, said Rotary Club President Julie Cepe.
(PS Mabaquiao/PIA)