Surigao del Sur provincial gov't, partners hold eye care medical mission

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 24 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Surigao del Sur is conducting a Cataract-Pterygium Surgical and Eye Care Mission from July 22-25 at the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Center in Tandag City.

The activity is part of “Surigao del Sur Vision 2020” campaign which aims to eliminate preventable blindness by year 2020. This is in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Montero Medical Missions, and other organizations.

"We are very fortunate to have the Montero Medical Missions with us in this endeavor for giving us free Cataract-Pterygium Surgical operation," Governor Johnny Pimentel said. "This operation is very expensive costing to P35k per patient when operating in a private health facility."

The medical mission will provide services to 100 cataract patients. Some 500 patients may avail themselves of free eye examination and free glasses.

The Montero Medical Missions, a faith base international non-government organization that has been working with the DOH through the National Committee on Sight Preservation in line with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness - Vision 2020 The Right to Sight initiative, which now started replication process in several strategic areas of the Philippines.

Partner agencies include the Loving Presence Foundation, Rotary Club of Central Tandag, American Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, Surigao del Sur Medical Society, Philippine Nurses Association of Surigao del Sur, Beach Eye Care, Virginia Center for Eye Surgery, Community United Methodist Church, Philippine Medical Association of Southeast Virginia in United States of America, Surigao del Sur Provincial Health Office, League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Surigao del Sur, and Philippine Red Cross.(JPG/PIA-Caraga)