The municipal government of Catigbian, Bohol, through the Municipal Health Office, had worked together with Provincial Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, and the Bohol Eye and Ear Clinic Associates led by Dr. Jose Oliver Yu in conducting a cataract surgical mission last May 29-30 at the Catigbian Municipal Health Center.
The medical mission offered free cataract surgery as a civic undertaking done regularly by Dr. Yu's team in different towns of Bohol.
Aside from cataract surgery, the medical team also offered removal of pterygium- -a benign growth on the conjunctiva.
The mission reached out to indigent patients who could hardly afford the high cost of eye surgery, as they faced the possibility of going blind.
A cataract operation costs P15,000 to P50,000 per eye in private hospitals.
Aside from the free eye surgery, pre-operation and post-operation medications were also provided for the patients.
The volunteer physicians advised them to have their follow-up check-up at the Bohol Eye and Ear Clinic in Tagbilaran City.
Meanwhile, as a blow-out on Mayor Roberto Salinas' birthday that coincided with the first day of the surgical mission, the patients had free lunch at the venue.
Aside from serving Catigbianons, the medical mission also served beneficiaries from the neighboring towns of Balilihan and Antequera.
Five pre-screened patients from Balilihan and six from Antequera were operated on the first day, while 43 patients from Catigbian were screened but only 13 got clearance for surgery.
The team of Dr. Uy and Dr. Ruel Cabigting, an ophthalmologist from Manila, operated a total of 24 patients.
The staff of the Municipal Health Center had extended service even up to the night and the weekend.
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