Two hundred-eighteen (218) sick individuals are targeted to benefit from the on-going week-long Bohol surgical mission highlighting the 57th birthday celebration of Gov. Edgar Chatto.

The free major operations have been performed by the US-based surgical team led by Dr. Renato Rivera at the Borja Family Hospital in Tagbilaran City since last weekend until February 24.

Along with Philippine Gift of Life (PGL) President and Chief Executive Officer Francisca Baluyot, Chatto visited the patients at the hospital before his birthday yesterday, February 21.

Of the 218 mission beneficiaries, 86 are goiter patients; 52, breast mass/cyst; 44, obstetrics; and 6, gallbladder stone.

Most or 106 of the patients are from the First District localities, which include Tagbilaran City; 74, Third District; 33, Second District; and 5 from outside of Bohol.

Only those who passed the final screening by the surgical team have qualified for the operation.

Rivera’s group consisting of doctors and nurses from the different states in America has been conducting major surgical mission in Bohol annually, particularly in February during the governor’s birthday.

The provincial government is the major sponsor of the humanitarian event as Chatto’s life gift to the poor sick.

The mission that values life above all is a partnership of the province and PGL with the full support of the host hospital, Department of Health, three Bohol congressional district offices, Bohol Medical Society, Rotary Club of Tagbilaran District 3860 and city government, among others.

A recognition-fellowship party was tendered at the Bohol Tropics last night that also served as a joint birthday tribute to Chatto and Rivera, who also celebrates his birthday this week.

Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy delivered the invocation.

Chatto, Baluyot and City Mayor John Geesnell Baba Yap II awarded the plaques of recognition and certificates to the mission participants.

Rivera and Borja Family Hospital medical director Dr. Melinda Borja pledged to continue to partner in the merciful surgical mission program of the province under Chatto and PGL under Baluyot.  

Civic-spirited couple Engr. Victor and Louella Bantol, director of the PGL and Rotary assistant district governor, respectively, were the masters of ceremony. (Ayen Diez)