The noble and laudable aspiration of Lions to reach out to out indigent countrymen in remote areas who cannot afford surgical operations has begun.
Gov. Imelda Flores, Grant Administrator, and Project Director Lydia D. Ragos have commissioned a brand new surgical bus on the road. Its maiden voyage was to spearhead the Multiple District 301 Philippines State Convention street parade from PICC ti Luneta and Manila. After which, it was given a conspicuous
site at the entrance of the Manila Hotel for all the Lions from all over the Philippines to admired the first and onlu surgical bus in the country and to ponder on their plans for its future surgical missions in their areas. The first mission in line is Pampanga followed by Bataan. Bulacan, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Laguna and Misamis Oriental in Mindanao.Meanwhile the list gets longer.
"Surgery on Wheels" was made possible by a grant from the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). It is a joint project of Lions District 301-D2 Philippines, Lions District 26G Missouri USA, Medical Missions Foundation and Kansas City World Outreach Lions Club who shipped from the USA the needed surgical equipments. The goal is to provide a high quality facility to run as a one-day surgical center with two operating rooms. There are also restroom, scrub areas and facilities for sterilization. Each operating room has its own air- conditioning unit. It is also equipeped with its own generator to provide electrical power even in areas where there is no electricity. The customized body was built on a brand new Isuzu engine and chassis. The body and interior designs were furnished by Kansas City World Outreach Lions Club and manufactured by the Metaprime Company of Lions Club President Ferdinand Oroza of Novaliches Centennial Lions Club of District 301-D2.
This project was not done overnight. It started during the term of Past Governor Leopoldi Santiago who collaborated with Dr. Antonio Racela and Dra.Luz Racela, the Porject Chairperson. After Governor Imelda Flores assumed office as District Governor, the project was pursued, perfected, finalized and approved by LCIF with Governor Imelda Flores as the designated Grant Administrator. Indeed, the project took a lot of brainstorming, time, effort and resources of the district. Even the Department of Health was unable to guide us at the beginning
as they acknowledged that there is nothing of this kind that presently exists in the country. Nevertheless, Grant Administrator, Governor Imelda Flores appointed PCC Johnny Co, PDG Susan Brizuela, PDG Alex Dumrique to the various working committees while PDG Antonio Ocampo was appointed to lead the Surgi Van fund raising drive.
All is well that ends well and the mobile surgical center is now a reality. On hand to witness the finishing touches last month were the surgical mission from Kansas City World Outreach Lions Club led by Project Co-Director Lydia Dy Ragos and Club VP Ernie Rosas together with Lions Dee Dyer. Alcy Malkmus, John Young, Nicole La Maina, Winde Almazan, Sonia Tumanut, Arvin Figueroa, Teo Carino, Teddy and Engi Salonga. And certainly, the invaluable guidance of the brain behind the "Surgery on Wheels" project, Dr. Antonio Racela and Project Chairperson Dra. Luz Racela has been with us at all times. |
