A RAY OF HOPE
Date Posted: Sun. July 12, 2009
A chain of activities was conceptualized to satisfy clients needs as during the mobile organizing conducted in every barangay. With the combined efforts of Loving Presence Foundation, Inc. (LPFI) the PWD Organization of Surigao (SCOPED), and the Local Government of Surigao and supported by the line agencies, DSWD,CHO and DepED, a Disability Screening and Consultation was conducted by invited physiatrist and partner doctor in the Region, Dr. Renato Jose Villanueva, during the celebration of “Araw ng May Kapansanan” last March 20, 2009 held at Surigao City Health Office, 34 children and youth with disabilities were served.
9 of 34 clients were prescribed customized wheelchair, 3 clients needed prosthesis and the other clients were referred to the Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist.
Hope was expressed by the parents of the patients screened that sooner or later the assistive devices needed by their children would be facilitated so they could enjoy life outside their homes in harmony with other members of society.
The joint effort of the Local Government of Surigao and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte can bring these dreams closer to reality.
A successful Cataract Operation was also conducted in Placer District Hospital last May 11-30, 2009 with 15 patients hailing from different municipalities in the province. This is in connection with the Cataract Surgical Program of the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte through the Provincial Health Office.
This Program of the Provincial Health Office is already in place and will be done quarterly depending on the number of patients screened and identified for surgery. Screening was done during the Medical Outreach of the Provincial Staff which aims for the prevention of remediable blindness in the province. Patients were screened, examined and operated on by local ophthalmologist, Dr. Ledenilo Petalcorin from Caraga Regional Hospital.
As one of the foundations thrusts ,Reconstructive surgery on Harelip Clients, or ”OPSMILE” for short or ”OPSMILE” for short . A Cleft Lip Operation was conducted last May 24-27, 2009 at Caraga Regional Hospital through the efforts of the different agencies of the locality.
This was through the concerted effort of the Chief of Hospital of Caraga Regional Hospital, Rotary Club of Metro Surigao, and Loving Presence Foundation in coordination with the Local Government of Surigao through DSWD, CHO and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte under the auspices of the Provincial Health Office and Maharlika Charity Foundation.
Out of 56 patients screened, only 25 passed the CP clearance conducted by the Pediatrician. And out of the 25, only 23 were operated on, while 2 patients were deferred because of nosocomial infection. Gratitude was expressed during the post-operative rounds by the surgeon including the sponsors of the Cleft Lip Operation.
In many ways no matter how simple, we can make things happen with everyone’s little effort put together, we can do big things to small and less fortunate people. Letting them know that though God can’t be seen we can make them feel his loving presence through this combined efforts of helping hands. With all these we can lessen there burden and together we can make a difference that even in darkness a ray of hope can still shine.
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