The Cebu Provincial Government on Saturday launched a series of free surgical and medical missions as part of the Province of Cebu’s 457th Founding Anniversary celebration, with the first outreach program held at the Cebu Provincial Hospital-Danao City.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the opening ceremony of the two-day medical mission, which brought together around 260 doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, nonmedical personnel, and volunteers to provide free services to Danawanons and residents of nearby municipalities.

“These missions are for our people. This is for the Cebuanos who need care, hope, and healing. And this is part of a greater plan to significantly improve public healthcare in the Province of Cebu—one that Cebuanos truly deserve,” Baricuatro said.

The initiative was conducted in partnership with Chong Hua Medical Center and other healthcare practitioners, providing patients with access to free surgical procedures, consultations, diagnostic tests, and other medical services.

Free surgeries and medical services

The surgical mission offers free major procedures for breast cancer, hemorrhoids, hernia, thyroid, and gallbladder cases.

Minor surgical procedures for lipomas and cysts are also being provided to qualified beneficiaries.

The volunteer team includes 104 personnel from Chong Hua Medical Center, 71 from Cebu Provincial Hospital-Danao, 24 from the Cebu Medical Society, 33 from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu Province Chapter, 11 from Kaambag Clinic, 12 from the Provincial Health Office, and five optometrists.

Beneficiaries also have access to free X-rays, electrocardiograms, random blood sugar, uric acid, and cholesterol tests.

Eye checkups and tooth extractions are likewise available, while reading glasses are being provided to beneficiaries aged 40 and above.

Specialists from Chong Hua Medical Center are also conducting consultations in internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, nephrology, cardiology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, and optometry.

Legal, dental and other services

The outreach program also extends beyond medical treatment.

The IBP Cebu Province Chapter and its partners are providing legal assistance, medical services, and dental care to persons deprived of liberty at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Danao.

HIV screening is also available through the Kaambag Clinic of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Office is providing dental services with assistance from three volunteer dentists from Canada.

The wide range of services reflects the provincial government’s effort to bring multiple forms of essential assistance closer to communities during the anniversary celebration.

Danao mayor praises healthcare reforms

Danao City Mayor Nito Durano thanked Gov. Baricuatro for her efforts to improve public healthcare facilities and services across Cebu.

“Dako na gyud ang kausaban sa atong mga hospital dinhi sa atong probinsya sa Sugbo. Lahi ra gyud ang liderato sa atong Gobernadora Pamela S. Baricuatro. And as I see in her resolve, she’s just getting started,” Durano said.

Also present during the kickoff were Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, Provincial Board Committee on Health Chairman Dr. Stanley Caminero, Provincial Health Office Head Dr. Sheila Faciol, Borbon Mayor Nico Dotillos, and CPH-Danao Chief of Hospital Dr. Jenna Canoy.

Catalan, who oversees the health reforms under Gov. Baricuatro’s administration, expressed gratitude to the partners and volunteers who contributed to the medical mission.

She thanked Danao City Mayor Nito Durano and Vice Mayor Ivy Durano; Chong Hua Medical Center, led by Dr. Joanne Cosin and Dr. Elmer Po; and Cebu Medical Society President Dr. Ella Phyllis Lim.

Catalan also recognized the support of Malasakit at Bayanihan Party-list of Cong. Girlie Veloso, represented by Dr. Shane Veloso; the IBP Cebu Province Chapter; Kaambag Clinic; and the doctors, nurses, support personnel, and volunteers who helped make the outreach possible.

The Danao City medical mission marks the beginning of a series of healthcare activities planned across Cebu as part of the province’s 457th Founding Anniversary, reinforcing the provincial government’s goal of making quality healthcare more accessible to Cebuanos.