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Biggest post-Odette medical mission in Siargao starts

By Alexander Lopez

January 26, 2023, 3:05 pm

<p><strong>FREE MEDICAL SERVICES.</strong> The Bagtik Medical and Surgical Mission at the Siargao Island Medical Center formally opens on Thursday (Jan. 26, 2023) in the town of Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. The medical mission, considered the biggest after the island was struck by Typhoon Odette in December 2021, is facilitated by the office of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II with the support of physicians and surgeons from Singapore, Manila and Cebu.<em> (Photo courtesy of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Bingo Matugas)</em></p>

FREE MEDICAL SERVICES. The Bagtik Medical and Surgical Mission at the Siargao Island Medical Center formally opens on Thursday (Jan. 26, 2023) in the town of Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. The medical mission, considered the biggest after the island was struck by Typhoon Odette in December 2021, is facilitated by the office of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II with the support of physicians and surgeons from Singapore, Manila and Cebu. (Photo courtesy of Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Bingo Matugas)

BUTUAN CITY – Some 300 Siargao Island residents in Surigao del Norte have already registered to avail of the benefits from the free services of the Bagtik Medical and Surgical Mission that opened Thursday morning at the Siargao Island Medical Center (SIMC) in the town of Dapa.

“We expect the number of beneficiaries to increase in the coming days as the organizers of the mission decided to entertain walk-in clients,” said Dr. Chloe Digal, the OIC chief of SIMC, in an interview Thursday.

Digal described the medical and surgical mission, slated until Sunday, as the biggest after typhoon Odette struck the island in December 2021.

The mission is sponsored by the Office of Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas II together with a group of surgeons from Singapore, Manila and Cebu City.

In a separate statement, Matugas said the SIMC has already conducted prescreening and checkups of the beneficiaries, in coordination with the rural health units.

“We want to ensure that Siargao residents will be able to avail of the services of this medical and surgical mission,” Matugas said.

The free surgical services include goiter, parotid gland tumors, ovarian cysts, myoma, hydrocele, hemorrhoids, gallstones and cataracts.

Free cervical cancer screening will also be facilitated from Jan. 27 to 29 at the Pastoral Center in the town of General Luna.

“It is also our goal to ensure the good health of our constituents in Siargao Island and Surigao del Norte this year,” Matugas said.

Rescued US citizen

Meanwhile, a distressed watercraft owned and operated by a US citizen was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday 140 nautical miles off the coast of Daku Island in General Luna town, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

In a statement, Thursday (Jan. 26), it identified the watercraft as “Mi Amor” operated by Dan Michaels.

“The watercraft broke its propeller during the voyage from Palau to the Philippines. It was also reported to be taking in water,” the PCG said.

 The distressed watercraft and the US citizen are now secured and properly assisted in the town of Santa Monica, Siargao Island. (PNA)

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