Free cataract surgery mission call for more indigent patients

Through the efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), a 5-day free cataract surgery mission is being conducted at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), which targets 100 patients from the entire region in line with the celebration of the Sight Saving Month.

Part of the DOH program and services offered is the conduct of surgical missions region-wide. The free cataract surgery has started last August 5 and will end on August 9, 2013. The said mission is sponsored by the following non-government organizations: Rotary Club of Banilad Metro, Rotary Club of Kandaya, Rotaract Club of Banilad Metro (Commmunity-based), Rotaract Club of Kandaya-Tacloban (Community-based) and Delta Epsilon Fraternity and Sorority.

Dr. Lemuel Gatchalian, one of the three attending surgeons, said that this free in-house mission would really aid the indigent considering the fact that cataract surgery would cost around 35,000Php in hospitals. He added that through the Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS), it is easy for them to treat patients for about 10-12 minutes only.

“I can even operate 4 patients in an hour. But it seemed like there are lots of hours wasted because only few patients come to avail the free service”, Dr. Gatchalian disclosed in an interview. Ma. Cristina Ortilanom, president of the Rotaract Club of Kandaya– Tacloban, said that during the last week of July, there were pre-screenings conducted in the different municipalities in the region. Those who have qualified are those who can avail the free surgery and medicines. However, they are still accepting patients since some of the qualified recipients have not continued to undergo the medical project due to distance and transportation expenses.

Also, she said that they have already informed some media outlets and barangays about this activity. But still, only few patients avail the service. She admitted that lack of information dissemination to the target audience is the reason for lack of beneficiaries.