Mrs. Nikki Benitez at the pre-screening for the free surgical mission on October 2018.

          A total of 118 patients out of 153 from Victorias, Talisay and Murcia who came for the pre-screening on August 14, 2018 were cleared for major surgery for the NIKKI CARES LIBRE NGA OPERASYON on October 4 to 6, 2018 at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital  in Silay City.

          The free surgical mission is organized by Dominique “Nikki” Lopez Benitez, wife of Third District Congressman Alfredo Benitez who has started to conduct medical missions in various parts of the country more than two decades ago, in partnership with volunteer groups and the Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation, Inc.

Patients from Victorias, Talisay and Murcia waiting for their turn during the NIKKI CARES pre-screening at the Silay Regional Hospital.

          The October Nikki Cares surgical mission this year will have volunteer doctors from the Makati Medical Center.

          Conducting the pre-screening at the Regional Hospital yesterday (August 14) were OB-Gyne doctors Natividad Soler, Erwin Vladimir Dizon, Ma. Asuncion Manalastas;  and surgeons Jan Peter Posio,  Joaquin de la Cruz Manalastas, and Michelle Angela Anievas – all from Makati Medical Center. Joining them was local EENT Dr. Ma. Elaine Parreñas.

          Other patients who came were either deferred for further evaluation or transferred their cases to minor operation only, according to Mary Ann Dino, executive director of the Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation, Inc.

Volunteer doctors from the Makati Medical Center in a huddle during the pre-screening for the NIKKI Cares surgical mission in October 2018.

          Today (August 15), another pre-screenig will be conducted for patients from EB Magalona and Silay City, and those coming from  other districts of the province.

          Last November 2017, volunteer doctors from the Makati Medical Center also came to conduct both minor and major surgeries for NIKKI CARES FOUNDATION, INC.

          NIKKI CARES served  168 beneficiaries from the 5th and 6th districts of the province last May 2018 during a free surgical mission at the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City with volunteer doctors and nurses from 12 public hospitals from all over Negros Occidental.*