CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela—Some 144 cleft-palet patients submitted themselves for screening and eventually for surgical procedures by volunteer doctors, nurses and other medical personnel for the Operation Smile International Surgical Mission (OSISM) slated from
August 21 to 25, at the Isabela United Doctors Medical Center (UDMC in this city.
In partnership with Rotary Club of Cauayan, Isabela, and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Phililippines) Inc., 49 volunteers from the mother organization Operation Smile Inc. and Operation Smile Philippines came to this city for the medical mission.
Volunteers consisted of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, dentists, clinical coordinators, operating-room nurses, recovery-room nurses, pre- and post-operation nurses, speech pathologists, child-life specialists, biomedical technicians, medical-records handlers, patient- imaging technicians and student team members.
Former Vice Mayor Danny Alivia of Cabatuan, Isabela, is the present President of Rotary Club of Cauayan, District 3777. Along with their officers and members, Alivia initiated the visit of American surgeons with Filipino media surgeons, many based in Isabela, as counterparts.
The countries participating in the mission are Sweden, Bolivia, the United States, then the Philippines, Mexico, Russia and Jordan.
Image credits: Suzanne June G. Perante