𝟏,𝟖𝟒𝟐 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋, 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍
A total of 1,842 services were delivered to residents of Argao and its neighboring towns during a three-day Capitol Medical and Surgical Mission, which concluded on Sunday.
Held from May 1 to 3 at the Isidro C. Kintanar Memorial Hospital, the mission brought critical health services closer to underserved communities, performing major surgeries while also providing outpatient consultations and diagnostic tests.
The mission’s operating rooms completed 162 surgical procedures, addressing a backlog of cases that included cataract and pterygium removals, hernia repairs, gallbladder and goiter operations, and various gynecologic and minor surgeries.
On the medical side, teams conducted 464 consultations. An equal number of diagnostic laboratory tests were administered, including X-rays, electrocardiograms, and blood chemistry screenings for sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid.
OTHER SERVICES
The optometry department saw a surge in patients, performing 303 check-ups and dispensing 277 eyeglasses. Dental teams completed 280 procedures, while an integrated public health drive administered HIV screening to 169 individuals.
“Each number represents a Cebuano reached with earlier, accessible, and often life-changing care,” Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said, describing the effort as a model of what integrated, community-based healthcare looks like in action.
Despite the mission’s success, Dr. Catalan cautioned against viewing such events as a permanent fix.
“Missions are support, not the solution,” Dr. Catalan said, adding that a parallel push to strengthen hospital infrastructure, expand regular services, and build a healthcare system capable of delivering this level of care every day.
PARTNERS
The mission was a broad collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The Second District mayors threw their full support behind the initiative: Mayors Allan Sesaldo, Bembie Tambis, Eugenio Singson Jr., Jojie Derama, Ronald Guaren, Marites Buscato, and Tito Calderon. They were joined by Provincial Board Members Dr. Stanley Caminero and Raymond Calderon.
The local government of Argao, led by Vice Mayor Orvi Ortega, the municipal council, and the barangay captains, provided critical on-the-ground coordination.
Medical and institutional partners included the Department of General Surgery, Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Ophthalmology, Nursing Service Division, Department of Family and Community Medicine teams from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center; the Kaambag Clinic for HIV testing; the Malasakit at Bayanihan Partylist led by Congresswoman Girlie Veloso and Dr. Shane Veloso; the Cebu Medical Society; the Philippine Dental Association under Dr. Janette Erasmo; Southwestern Clinicians led by Dr. Gab Albina; and IPI Pharmaceuticals, Cebu Provincial and District Hospitals Chief of Nurses, St. Vincent General Hospital volunteer nurses and the PeriOperative Registered Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. Cebu Chapter.
HONORING FRONTLINERS
Dr. Catalan also extended deep gratitude for the frontline health workers, including the barangay health workers, the rural health unit doctors, nurses, and staff as well as Dr. Eric Geyrozaga and his entire team at the Isidro C. Kintanar Memorial Hospital.
“Your service on the ground is what turns plans into real care for our communities. Padayon ta. Better access. Stronger systems. Healthier Cebu,” Dr. Catalan said. | 𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, Photos by FE, ASC
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