Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) conducted its annual medical-surgical mission this month, servicing 597 patients from Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Palawan provinces.
This year’s nine-day medical-surgical from February 11-19 of the mining form marked its 20th year of giving medical attention to communities inside and around mine sites in Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Rio Tuba in Palawan.
NAC accomplished 229 major and 339 minor operations on cleft palate and lips, hernia, gallbladder stones, goiter, ovarian cyst, myoma, hemorrhoids, cysts, breast mass, and other lump removals.
Persuading members of the communities to come forward and avail of free medical-surgical procedures was the bigger challenge according to Dr. Bimbo T. Almonte. Medical Director of the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining (RTN) leg mission.
“Some residents from far-flung barangays continue to dilly-dally in seeking medical help. They have various concerns ranging from financial and logistical issues. Our goal as a responsible member of these mining communities is to totally eliminate any unease the communities may have of these medical procedures,” Almonte explained in an article published by Philippine News Agency.
Last year’s mission had 182 major and minor operations was completed making this year’s 297 surgical procedures in Rio Tuba alone a record according to Dr. Archie LaMadrid, a head surgeon who has been part of the mission since it began.
The mission started 20 years ago catering to communities in RTN only. The mission has been extended in 2011 also being adapted to Cagdianao Mining, Hinatuan Mining, and Taganito Mining, all NAC subsidiaries in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands.
Dr. Robinson Baron, who started the mission, expressed their excitement to come back and continue the mission next year.
