Listed natural resources Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), in partnership with Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation, the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte, and volunteer teams from Medical Mission to Heaven Foundation and Adventist Manila Medical Center, provided surgical care to over 500 patients, significantly enhancing access to quality healthcare across the province.
The mission's first leg took place in the Province of Dinagat Islands from June 1-3, 2024, offering free medical consultations and minor operations. Prescreening for major surgeries in Surigao was conducted by the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital from May 14-31, 2024.
"We are in the middle of fully equipping our health sector but after the pandemic and typhoon Odette, we cannot do it all," Gov. Robert Lyndon Z. Barbers said. "To our funding partners, Nickel Asia Corporation and other mining companies under NAC, thank you for choosing to serve your communities well."
Major surgery cases included herniotomy, herniorrhaphy, thyroidectomy, cholecystectomy, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAHBSO), lobectomy, excision of mass, cleft lip and palate repair, and hemorrhoidectomy. The event provided surgical care to 581 beneficiaries, including 148 major surgeries and 433 minor surgeries.
Among the beneficiaries was Jeric Escropolo, 30, from Surigao City, who found relief from years of suffering due to hernia. "It's painful, and I'm not able to lift heavy objects because it would worsen the pain and the hernia itself," Escropolo shared.
Since 2012, NAC's missions have served 11,120 patient beneficiaries, including 1,350 major surgery patients, 1,891 minor surgery patients, 7,825 consultations, and 54 ophthalmic cases from across Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands where its affiliate companies – Taganito Mining Corp., Hinatuan Mining Corp., and Cagdianao Mining Corp. operate.
"We feel more fulfilled if we do so much for the community. Even if it meant having to do operations until midnight, it would be no problem because we are serving our purpose," said Dr. Archie Lamadrid team leader for Adventist Medical Center Manila.
The annual NAC medical and surgical mission is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, encompassing health, livelihood, and infrastructure support to foster positive impacts in mining communities and beyond.
