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By Thelma Mantac Ramos, Washington USA
Spearheaded by Dr. Robert Peter Alojipan who is a native of Pandan himself, the MANGGYAN (Manggagamot ng Bayan) medical mission he will bring to Pandan, Antique, on the first week of April 2002 will be a cause for anticipation and celebration not just medically, but also socially. The newly-constructed Alex Liberman Surgical Pavilion (see article on page 3) will finally open its doors for the first time to start its operation, a fitting homage to Dr. Alojipan who was actively involved in this ALSP project from start to finish and to Melinda Pechangco Liberman for funding the pavilion. The arrival of the medical team will be a testimonial to the efficacy of the new edifice… a dream that has finally come true.
Not to be downplayed by the fanfare and significance of the occasion, this is what Dr. Alojipan has to say: "The Medical Mission that I am going to bring to Pandan, Antique on the first week of April 2002 is composed of doctors who are specialists in different fields of medicine and surgery. I have 13 ophthalmologists who plan on doing 75 cataract surgeries in 3 days, a feat which no other hospital in the country has ever done yet. They will be bringing 4 microscopes and other micro instruments needed in their surgery. Just to give you an idea how much these microscopes cost, each one is worth the current price of the smallest KIA car. One cataract surgery in Makati Med costs between 40,000.00 to 50,000.00 pesos. Aside from the cataract surgeries, the ophthalmologists will also treat all kinds of eye problems in the area. If the graded glasses, that Daughlet Bautista Ordinario of San Diego had solicited, will arrive on time, these doctors will also fit prescribed glasses to those who have visual acuity problems. There are 3 cardiologists who are coming and one pulmonologist. The only time the x-ray machine in our emergency hospital is put to use is when there is a chest specialist who can read the films. Come April, the x-ray machine will be very busy again. The cardiologists are also bringing with them an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, another first to happen in our town. I have 2 dermatologists joining me. If our luck goes far, another dermatologist from Iloilo might join us from April 1 to April 4. Our town mates who have warts and papillomas will surely feast on these dermatologists' electrocauterization abilities. Two pathologists are also in my group. They will be a big help to those with neck masses and breast tumors for they will do Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy on these patients, saving them the trauma of surgery. FNAB is a scarless way of finding out whether the tumor is malignant or not. One unique thing with my mission that other missions do not have is the continuity of service that we offer in Makati Med. If the case in Pandan needs the support of a medical center, I can right away bring it to Makati Med. If the FNAB of a patient's tumor is malignant, we can do the curative surgery in Makati Med. All the patient has to spend for will be his boat fare and the medicines to be used in his/her confinement. The ward is free, so does the fee of all consultants. I have 2 orthopedic surgeons, 2 obgyne, 3 pediatricians, 1 general surgeon, 1 thoracovascular surgeon, 1 neurologist, 2 ENT, 2 dentists, 4 maxillofacial surgeons and 1 plastic surgeon, all coming with me on April 1 to April 8, 2002."
Aside from the medical team that Dr. Alojipan will bring to Pandan, Vicky Bautista Seron will join the group with her team of volunteer nurses from California. Other Pandan natives who will also come to assist are Yolanda Bautista Batera from California, Nory Tajanlangit Antonio from Germany, and Leona Alcantara Nocker from Austria. Faith Bautista campaigned for donations in the US to help defray the medical mission's expenses. Ami Rodillon led a fund-raiser in December with Pagtatap USA and Pandan Antique Foundation (PAF) members to add to the mission's coffers. Tita Alojipan, wife of Pagtatap USA president Dalmacio Alojipan, with the help of Pagtatap USA and PAF, sent 7 Balikbayan boxes of medical supplies to Pandan for the mission's surgical needs. The town officials headed by Mayor Sanchez and Vice-Mayor Dionela are also to be commended for their hospitality and cooperation in making the mission's coming a momentous occasion.
The medical mission in April is another sterling example of how the Pandananons bond together to make things happen for the good of the town and its people.
To the many volunteers of the medical mission, we salute you. Welcome to Pandan. Thank you for sharing with us your expertise and generosity. May the success of your mission bring you the joys and satisfaction derived from helping others. |
