by Jun delos Reyes on Fri, 11/24/2017

“We have the hospital, why don’t we use it?”

That’s the question that needs a big answer, Congressman Alfredo ‘Albee’ Benitez of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental said, as he was surprised when he visited the two station Medical Wards with 11 rooms of Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital New Annex Building Extension. He noticed there were no beds, no equipment, no patients and even no doctors and nurses where the on-going Nikki Cares Surgical Mission (Nov. 23 to 25, 2017) in Silay City is being held.

BENITEZ AT PROV’L HOSPITAL. Congressman Alfredo ‘Albee’ Benitez (3rd District of Negros Occidental) with Medical Director Dr. Girlie Pinongan of Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital visit the patients at the Female Surgical Ward of Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.*(Jun de los Reyes/NDB photo)

The solon said that the surgical operations were facilitated in Silay City “because our indigent patients cannot afford to pay the cost of operations which would need a specialized doctor.”

About 500 patients have already been screened to undergo free surgical operations with free medicines.

“We hope we will do it regularly or quarterly. First quarter of next year 2018 will be held in Kabankalan City in the 6th District of Negros Occidental. Mayor Isidro Zayco has already approved the proposal,” Cong. Benitez said.

He likewise talked with Medical Director, Dr. Girlie Pinongan on the real situation of the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital.

Dominique ‘Nikki’ Lopez Benitez, wife of Cong. Benitez said, “It’s time to give back for all the blessings we have received from our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a mission and passion to help our people of 3rd District and the province.”

According to Ms. Benitez, the Mission started 30 years ago in the Philippines and throughout the province. “We have done this for the past 7 years and it’s still going on which also coincides with my 50 years of service to the people and our 25th wedding anniversary and thanksgiving to our son Javy Benitez who has graduated in Political Science and Computer Science in Sta. Clara University in California, U.S.A.”

A total of 81 doctors and nurses from Makati Medical Center Foundation volunteered and facilitated the Nikki Cares Surgical Mission.”*(Jun de los Reyes)