ILOILO CITY—Ten indigent patients suffering from poor eyesight due to cataract are the first to benefit from Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.’s blindness prevention program.
The patients, mostly senior citizens, were scheduled to undergo free eye surgery at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, on August 25 and 26.
The program is being held in partnership with the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology—Western Visayas Chapter, headed by its President Cynthia Antonia Salcedo.
Dr. Mike Pador said 10 ophthalmologists from the academy will perform the surgery during the program’s dry run.
“They identified 20 beneficiaries so far, but only 10 will have their surgery last Thursday and Friday. Others will be informed of their schedule,” Pador said.
Defensor has allotted P1.5 million for the procurement of drugs and medicines and another P1.5 million for medical, dental and laboratory supplies for the blindness prevention program this year.
The provincial government will also spend P1.6 million for ophthalmic microscopes and P1.4 million for the procurement of slit-lamp biomicroscope, keratometer, A-scan ultrasound and tonometer.
An additional P2 million is also requested for the maintenance and other operating expenses of the program, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said.
“This program will initially benefit 100 indigent patients this year. But in the following years, the number of beneficiaries will gradually increase,” he said.
Interested individuals can inquire directly at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital or they may get referral letters from their respective municipal or city social welfare officers. Laboratory examination of potential beneficiaries in Iloilo Provincial Hospital is free of charge.
