Smile Asia, World Surgical Foundation PH hold medical mission in Isabela
Smile Asia, in partnership with World Surgical Foundation Philippines, brought a life-changing medical mission to Milagros Albano District Hospital in Cabagan, Isabela.
The surgical mission began on February 27 and will run until March 2, with more than 100 major and minor procedures expected to be completed by the end of the mission.
As of today, surgeries remain underway, serving patients from Isabela, Cagayan, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.
All procedures are provided free of charge, allowing patients and their families to save significantly on medical expenses while receiving quality surgical care.
Phoebe Low, Smile Asia mission coordinator, said the team was invited by Governor Rodito T. Albano to conduct the mission in the province.
She added that the Provincial Government of Isabela provided the necessary medical supplies and consumables and covered the volunteers’ logistical expenses.
Low said they aim for two to three missions a year and an annual return to Isabela.
“Our goal is to conduct two to three missions a year in the Philippines. For Isabela, we hope to come back at least once every year,” she said.
Dr. Aiza Baccay, Officer-in-Charge of MADH, said the mission covers both minor and major surgical procedures, including cleft lip and cleft palate repair, as well as the removal of lipomas, warts, skin tags, and cysts.
It also provides pediatric surgeries for conditions such as imperforate anus, hydrocele, hernia, Hirschsprung’s disease, anorectal malformation, and undescended testes.
Around 50 volunteers joined the mission, mostly Filipinos, along with doctors and nurses from Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, and Myanmar. – Isabela PIO