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Monday, March 2, 2015

Sibugaynons flock second “Operation Smile Train” by Maharlika Foundation

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc. has again conducted free cleft lip and palate operations here during the 14th Araw ng Sibugay last Feb. 23-25.

Around 89 patients coming from the different towns of Zamboanga Sibugay province turned up to avail themselves of said services dubbed “Operation Smile Train.”

“We are overwhelmed by the large crowd who came to register. We have only expected around 40 patients to arrive since it was just very recently that the same operation was conducted here,” said Dr. Arthur Luspo, hospital chief of Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Hospital.

The first “Operation Smile Train” conducted in June 2014 was able to cater to 97 patients, the highest number of cleft patients the Maharlika Foundation had ever served in the country.

Three surgeons, two anesthesiologists from Davao City and one anesthesiologist of the provincial hospital conducted the operations with local nurses and volunteers assisting.

The activity was made possible through the help of the 102 Infantry ‘Igsoon’ Brigade and the provincial local government of Zamboanga Sibugay, having provided transportation to the patients and accommodation to the visiting surgeons and volunteers from Davao.