𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓-𝐎𝐅-𝐈𝐓𝐒-𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃: 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄, 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐇 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄
The Cebu Provincial Government and Operation Smile Philippines have signed a first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening access to comprehensive and free cleft care services for children across the province.
The agreement, signed on June 14, establishes a provincewide referral system that will ensure babies born with cleft lip and cleft palate in any of Cebu Province’s 16 Capitol-run hospitals are immediately identified and connected to specialized treatment through the Operation Smile Philippines Cebu Comprehensive Cleft Care Center of Excellence.
Under the partnership, patients and their families will receive services free of charge, removing financial barriers to critical medical care and rehabilitation.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro reiterated the province’s commitment to improving healthcare access for vulnerable children. A day after the MOU signing, the governor visited the Operation Smile Philippines team at the Cebu Comprehensive Cleft Care Center of Excellence, located at the Cebu City Medical Center building, to learn more about its services and ongoing programs.
The center provides a full spectrum of cleft care, including medical evaluation and diagnosis, feeding and nutrition support, dental care, speech therapy, counseling and family support, surgical intervention, and follow-up treatment.
Dr. Nikki Catalan, Capitol health consultant, said that the program goes beyond corrective surgery by adopting a holistic approach to care. She said through early referral and intervention, healthcare teams can better monitor a child’s growth and development, optimize nutrition, prepare patients for surgery, and provide rehabilitation services such as speech therapy when needed.
“This partnership is about building stronger referral systems and finding synergies within our healthcare community so that no Cebuano child is left behind,” Dr. Catalan said.
The MOU signing also served as a welcome gathering for international volunteer doctors arriving in Cebu for Operation Smile’s upcoming Region VII medical mission.
Representing Operation Smile Philippines during the signing were Executive Director Emiliano Romano and members of the organization’s leadership team and volunteer network.
The Province of Cebu was represented by Dr. Stanley Caminero, who championed the agreement through the Provincial Board, and Dr. Shiela Faciol, Provincial Health Office II chief.
The event also recognized the contributions of Dame Mariquita Yeung and the MSY Foundation for their continued support of children with cleft conditions, as well as Dr. Vivina Chiu, a longtime volunteer and advocate for Operation Smile Philippines in Cebu. /CAPITOL PIO
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