Ninety-three patients received free surgical procedures during a two-day medical caravan at the Cebu Provincial Hospital (CPH)-Carcar City, including operations for gallstones, thyroid conditions, hernia and other medical conditions.
The Cebu Provincial Government conducted the medical caravan on Sept. 26 and 27, providing patients from Carcar City and nearby areas access to procedures that could otherwise require substantial out-of-pocket expenses.
Of the 93 surgical cases handled, 48 were major surgeries, 41 were minor procedures and four were arteriovenous (AV) fistula procedures.
The major operations included 16 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 13 thyroid surgeries, six hernia operations and five Caesarean sections.
The medical team also performed four hemorrhoidectomies, two appendectomies, a pelvic laparotomy and the excision of a large mass or lipoma.
The caravan handled 68 surgical cases on the first day and 25 on the second day.
The provincial government estimated the total value of the surgical services at P10.259 million based on general estimates of comparable procedures at private healthcare facilities and selected PhilHealth case rates.
It clarified that the amount is only an estimate of the potential cost of similar procedures in private facilities and does not represent the official rates charged by any specific private hospital.
The two-day caravan also provided free medicines and other healthcare services to hundreds of Carcar residents.
These included medical consultations, diagnostic services, dental care, optometry, HIV screening and nutrition counseling.
Persons deprived of liberty at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Carcar City Jail also received medical services and legal consultations.
The activity involved government health workers, medical professionals, civic organizations and private-sector partners.
Participating groups included the University of Cebu Medical Center, Cebu Medical Society, Cebu Optometric Society, Cebu Dental Society, Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, VSMMC Kaambag Clinic, IPI Foundation and Malasakit at Bayanihan Partylist.
The Cebu Provincial Health Office, Carcar City Government, CPH-Carcar and local barangay health workers also took part in the activity.
The provincial government said the medical caravan is part of its efforts to expand access to healthcare through its network of 16 Capitol-run hospitals and partnerships with medical and civic organizations.
The activity brought specialized surgical procedures and other healthcare services closer to residents of Carcar and neighboring areas, reducing the need for some patients to travel outside Southern Cebu for treatment.
Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO
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