At least 134 children in Negros Occidental with cleft lip and/or palate availed the services of the Surgical Mission Team who came to the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital on May 25-29, 2022.

 

The surgical team from the Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital and Smile Train Philippines conducted screening and surgery to individuals, mostly children, suffering from cleft lip and/or palate.

 

According to Smile Train, the largest cleft charity in the world, one in 700 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate globally. Clefts cause difficulties eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking.

 

The team is headed by Program Coordinator PS Ramos and comprised of the following:

 

Surgeons: Dr. Edmundo Mercado and Dr. Mark Manansala

Anesthesiologists: Dr. Nylene Arizala and Zaldy Ong

Nurses: Dianne Prepuse, Sherrilou Munar, Maycee Merlas, Robbie Aserit, Jason Mationg, Charlie Bacerra and Carla Policarpio.