Two hundred three (203) patients from various towns and cities of Negros Occidental underwent initial screening last August 13-14  to qualify for free surgery under the Nikki Cares Foundation, Inc. ‘Free Surgical Mission’ scheduled for September 24 to 28 at the Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital in Slay City.

          These patients who passed the initial screening will undergo the necessary laboratory tests and final screening for the surgical procedures on September 24 to 28.

          The 126 qualified beneficiaries come from the Third District – Victorias, EB Magalona, Silay, Talisay and Murcia.   The rest of the 77 patients are residents of Sagay, Bacolod, Bago, Valladolid, San Enrique, La Castellana, Hinigaran, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Ilog, Cauayan, Sipalay, and Hinobaan.

          Dominique  “Nikki” Lopez Benitez, president of the Nikki Cares Foundation and wife of former Third District Representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has partnered with the Makati Medial Center Foundation to reach indigent patients mostly with cases of hernia, gall stones, ovarian cyst, cleft lip and palate, myoma, hemorrhoids, polyp, goiter and similar conditions that may require minor or major surgery.

          The Nikki Cares ‘Libre nga Operasyon’ was started in 2017 and has already conducted four surgical missions, two in 2017 at the Silay City provincial hospital, and in  San Carlos City Hospital . Last year, it was held at the  Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City.  A total of 874 patients – 581 minor operations and 293 major surgeries , have been served.

          The September surgical mission this year, is the fifth, with volunteer doctors and nurses from the Makati Medical Center.

          The Nikki Cares pre-screening medical team included OB consultants Dr. Erwin Dizon, Dr. Natividad Soler, Dr. Maria Asuncion Manalastas;  and surgery consultants Dr. Joaquin Manalastas, Dr. Michelle Angela Meer Anievas, and Dr, Al Jazzer Angas..

          Mrs. Nikki Benitez  together with Makati Medical Center Foundation executive director Mary Margaret Barro and program director Angelyn Ileto supervised the two-day  screening.

          Providing assistance and support to the Nikki Cares medical mission are the Office of Congressman Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation, Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital thru medical director Dr. Ma.Estrella Ledesma, Negros Occ. Provincial Government thru Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Silay City Government thru Mayor Mark Golez , and all the mayors of the province’s cities and municipalities.*