COTABATO CITY โ At least 86 marginalized residents from different barangays in Bongao and other island towns in Tawi-Tawi regained their eyesight after undergoing free cataract and pterygium surgeries in a three-day multi-sector medical mission.
The outreach, held from September 2 to 4, was spearheaded by the Ministry of Health-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) in partnership with the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi.
Aside from surgeries, doctors also distributed free reading glasses to 200 elderly residents of Bongao, according to officials from the office of Governor Yshmael Sali.
Regional Health Minister Kadil Sinolinding Jr., an ophthalmologist and member of the Bangsamoro parliament, led the medical team with support from Sali, Tawi-Tawi Integrated Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Sangkula Laja, and personnel of the Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital.
Sinolinding said many of the patients rely on menial jobs to provide for their families. โMost of them could not afford eye surgery, nor the cost of traveling outside the province for treatment,โ he added.
The mission formed part of the 52nd Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi, the provinceโs founding anniversary celebration.
Among the beneficiaries was 91-year-old Asia Abdulla, the oldest patient who underwent surgery. Another was 65-year-old Abbas Gamal from Tandubas, who said the free procedure spared him the high cost of treatment in Zamboanga City.
Sixty-year-old Ubah Hairol, also a beneficiary, shared in a video message: โWith my eyesight restored, I can again work to earn money for the daily expenses of my family.โ
Governor Sali thanked the regional government and BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua for making the mission possible.
โThis has given hope and relief to our poor residents,โ Sali said.
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