Lepanto mission serves 4,000 in Benguet, Ilocos Sur

MANILA, Philippines - Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. conducted a medical-surgical-dental mission recently for close to 4,000 patients from Mankayan, Benguet and Cervantes and Quirino, Ilocos Sur.  

The mission provided not only medical services but also surgical procedures and dental services, making it    unprecedented in terms of scope and magnitude.

With Lepanto VP & resident manager Magellan Bagayao, the Lepanto Medical team led by Conrado Basa and Ferdinand Benbenen were in place to assist the medical mission team of 32 medical professionals, some coming all the way from Germany and the USA. Health workers from rural health units of Mankayan, Cervantes and Quirino and nurse-trainees from St. Louis University, University of the Cordillera and Easter College of Baguio City were also present to assist the medical team.   

The entire Lepanto Mine Division were actively involved as working committees. Likewise, the Doktors Generics Pharmacy supplied the needed medicine and medical supplies at discounted rates. To support this project, the Consuelo Foundation headed by Daniel Urquico and the Rotary Club of Honolulu, Hawaii sent a well-equipped mobile clinic.

Three months prior to this event, some facilities at the Lepanto Hospital were upgraded and renovated in order to accommodate the anticipated huge number of patients based on the pre-mission medical survey. Additional equipment and instruments were acquired to supplement the existing facilities, including a cardiac defibrilator with pulse oxymeter, suction machine, cardiac monitor, mobile OR lights, operating tables and various new surgical instruments. 

On the other hand, the Navarro-Mallari Foundation donated an anesthesia machine, operating room supplies and medicine. All other equipment, medicine, supplies and logistics, including meals and transportation for the patients, were provided by Lepanto. 

According to Lepanto EVP Augusto Villaluna, a total of 3,268 medical patients and 582 dental patients were treated. A total of 43 major surgical operations were performed at the Lepanto Hospital. Minor operations were also done in the hospital on 43 patients.

Seven eye specialists from Baguio City led by Ronaldo Paraan operated on nine patients with cataracts and 18 patients with Pterygium.

Lepanto president-COO Bryan Yap said that Lepanto is acquiring laparoscopy equipment this month to boost its medical services to the Lepanto community and neighboring towns. 

Moreover, Lepanto Hospital surgeons will undergo developmental training under Dr. Rolando Mendiola, a pioneer in the field of laparoscopic surgery.  

The success of the mission was also supported by the Navarro-Mallari Foundation and the University of Sto. Tomas Centennial Class of 1971 and the efforts of Thelma Villaluna, wife of the Lepanto VP. 

Lepanto is grateful to all the medical professionals who unselfishly gave of their time and skills to the communities, as well as the municipal mayors, Materno Luspian of Mankayan, Benguet; Benjamin Maggay of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur and Clifford Patil-ao of Quirino, Ilocos Sur.