MOH-BARMM holds a surgical mission in BASILAN

By Mark Navales

BASILAN MISSION: Michael Macion, left, head of the Surgical team and current Regional Coordinator for Hospital Operations at MOH-BARMM poses with other surgical doctors inside the operating room in Lamitan Medical Hospital. (Mark Navales)

COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) has recently completed a highly successful Surgical mission in Basilan Province.

Led by Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang and Dr. Tato Usman, OIC Director General, the surgical mission was spearheaded by Dr. Michael Macion, an Orthopedic Surgeon.

A team of medical professionals including General Surgeons, Ophthalmologists, Internal Medicine specialists, OB-Gyn doctors, Anesthesiologists, ENT specialists, and Orthopedic Surgeons supported this three-day historic event held at the Lamitan District Hospital in Lamitan City.

The Philippine Navy Western Mindanao command vessel from the Philippine Navy, BA485, transported Dr. Macion’s team from Zamboanga City to Basilan, where 118 patients received government services, including free medicines and surgeries.

A Group of surgeon doctors conducted a surgical operation at Lamitan Medical Hospital where Dr. Michael Macion (right) head of the Bangsamoro Surgical Outreach Program and current Regional Coordinator for Hospital Operations at MOH-BARMM, emphasized his commitment to expanding various surgical and medical services throughout the Bangsamoro Region. (Mark Navales)

Rheazel Nava Mongcal, the mother of Mark Zeyn Mongcal, a one-year-and-seven-month-old with Hernia, expressed her gratitude to the BARMM government for helping address her son’s health condition.

 Julieta Villaneza, a 73-year-old from San Jose Maluong, Lamitan Basilan, rejoiced as her cataracts, a long-standing issue, were treated through the surgical outreach program of MOH-BARMM, without any financial burden. This program ensures universal access to necessary medical treatments.

At the Lamitan District Hospital, Governor Jim Hataman Saliman visited the medical mission to express his appreciation to the team of doctors and nurses for their dedication to the program.

Governor Saliman extended his gratitude to the BARMM Government, particularly the Ministry of Health, for their continuous support to the people of Lamitan. He also advocated for the establishment of another hospital to serve the Provincial Hospital of Basilan under the BARMM Government’s jurisdiction.

Dr. Harris Macapeges, a General Surgeon specializing in vascular access for hemodialysis and Chief of Iranon District Hospital of Maguindanao Del Norte, also conveyed his appreciation. Dr. Macapeges is delighted to have been part of the surgical team of the MOH-BARMM outreach program, enabling him to serve the underprivileged residents of the islands.

Dr. Michael Macion, head of the Bangsamoro Surgical Outreach Program and current Regional Coordinator for Hospital Operations at MOH-BARMM, emphasized his commitment to expanding various surgical and medical services throughout the Bangsamoro Region, and expressed his gratitude to his fellow doctors who volunteered for the surgical program, citing their collective dedication to serving the people of BARMM.

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