Report from Surgical Mission to Samar Island, the Philippines
Editor's note: To protect the critically threatened resources of Samar Island, the Philippine government, along with the Global Environmental Facility and the United Nations Development Program, has launched the Samar Island Biodiversity Program. It is the goal of the biodiversity program to establish the Samar Island Natural Park, an 857,000-acre protected area. Due to widespread poverty many residents of Samar cannot afford basic surgical procedures. Seacology underwrote an all-volunteer surgical mission to Samar by the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America in December 2001 as a means of thanking Samar islanders for setting aside such a large protected area for the benefit of the environment. This project was funded with the generous support of the Nu Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation. Here, Dr. Manuel A. Cacdac, past president of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America and team leader of the surgical mission, writes about the society's successful trip to Samar Island.
In spite of the fears and apprehensions from the September 11th catastrophe, members of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America, joined by members of Physicians for Peace, Inc., proceeded with their intended surgical mission to Catbalogan City, Samar Island, Philippines. The group, headed by Drs. Pacifico Dorado, Rolando Mendiola and myself, was joined by a surgical team composed of medical professionals hailing from Wisconsin, California, Texas, Indiana, Delaware and Ohio.
Our team left Manila on December 9, 2001 and flew to Tacloban City, where we were picked up then transported on a four-hour trip to Catbalogan City, Samar Island. Sunday afternoon was spent opening boxes of medical supplies, equipment and medications, screening patients and organizing logistics. Surgeries were performed from December 10th through 15th. A total of 229 surgeries were performed, including 25 cataract operations performed by two ophthalmologists who joined our mission, Dr. Boots Ampatin of Catbalogan City and Dr. Gil Mutya of Tacloban City. A total of 72 major surgeries were done, including several emergencies including a gunshot wound to the abdomen, emergency laparotomies, emergency appendectomies and Cesarean sections. We also saw at least 50 consultations. There were no mortalities or any significant morbidity.
One evening was highlighted by a presentation of the Samar Island Biodiversity Program, which was very informative for all who attended.
It is very nice and very rare when impoverished islanders can receive such an immediate, tangible benefit for making important sacrifices on behalf of the environment. The Society of Philippine Surgeons in America expresses its gratitude to Seacology for making this surgical mission possible. As well, we would like to thank the numerous other organizations and individuals who helped to make this successful project a reality.
