A total of 332 patients benefitted from the Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. (THPAL) Medical-Surgical Mission from February 12-17 at the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital (SDNPH) in Placer, Surigao del Norte. Of the 332 patients, 174 had undergone minor operation, and 158 patients for major operation.
Before the start of the Medical-Surgical Mission, NAC subsidiaries in Surigao del Norte, Hinatuan Mining Corp. (HMC), and Taganito Mining Corp. (TMC); and Cagdianao Mining Corp. (CMC) in the Province of Dinagat Islands, along with THPAL had respective areas in Surigao del Norte and Province of Dinagat Islands assigned to accommodate patients for the activity.
Minor and major operations catered to during the activity were goiter, cleft lip/palate, hernia, hemorrhoids, gall bladder stone, ureter and bladder stone, orthopedic cases, myoma, uterine prolapse, cervical mass, breast mass, and soft tissue mass.
From 2010 to 2022, NAC and THPAL Medical-Surgical Mission had accomplished 958 major surgeries, 1,193 minor surgeries, 54 opthalmic cases, and 7,485 consultations.
HMC’s part in the NAC and THPAL Medical-Surgical Mission
For HMC, a total of 30 patients benefitted from the Medical-Surgical Mission activity conducted in partnership with Hope for the World Foundation, Inc., Manila Adventist Hospital, and the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte. There were 17 patients who have undergone minor operation and 13 for major operation.
Before the start of the Medical-Surgical Mission, HMC has coordinated with the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) and Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Tagana-an and the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Talavera to conduct pre-screening in the 14 barangays of Tagana-an.
“The participation of HMC in the Medical-Surgical activity is part of the commitment of the company of taking care of the communities where we operate by providing support to heath programs, particularly providing medical and surgical operation access to less fortunate individuals and families in our community”, said Mrs. Myline B. Ragas, HMC Community Development Coordinator.
“HMC believes that health is wealth; a healthy community is a productive community. Families and individuals in good health and physical condition will always be able to provide contribution not only to their families but also to the community”, added Mrs. Ragas.
Thankful Beneficiaries
Mrs. Retchel Destajo, a resident of Barangay Talavera in the Municipality of Tagana-an, is grateful to NAC and HMC for the Medical-Surgical Mission. “I am thankful to NAC and HMC for the Medical-Surgical Mission. With their help, I was able to get a sub mandibular mass removal for the cystic mass of my 9 year old daughter. It would be hard for us to avail of the operation on our own since we’re not that well-off. If only we had the financial capability to do so, we would have availed of the surgical operation for our daughter. Once again, I am very thankful to NAC and HMC for the opportunity.”
Mrs. Josephine Cabajes, a resident of Barangay Himamaug in the Municipality of Tagana-an, also shared the same grateful sentiment of Mrs. Destajo to NAC and HMC. Like Mrs. Destajo, it was also her 3 year old daughter that had undergone cleft repair for her condition during the Medical-Surgical mission. “My daughter’s condition is inborn; I remember during birth that I was a little sad when my daughter was born. I know at that time that her life will not be easy; she will be teased due to her condition. Thank you very much NAC and HMC for this wonderful opportunity. Without your help, my daughter would not have been operated on.”
She was also thankful to the Medical-Surgical Mission team and the doctors that operated on her daughter. “Thank you also to the doctors, especially those who operated my daughter. With your help, she will no longer be teased.”
