Mission Update: Philippines 2014 – WSF vs. Old Man Winter

February 18, 2014

In spite of Winter Storm Pax causing flight cancellations as far away as Tokyo (NRT) to Manila (MNL) and forcing the World Surgical Foundation crew in Pennsylvania to venture out ahead of the storm on Wednesday, 12 February 2014 to Detroit (DTW), MI by bus or plane, and winter storms in Japan canceling the flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (NRT) on Thursday, 13 February, all the doctors, nurses, and volunteer staff were able to travel safely to General Santos City for WSF’s 2014 Philippines Surgical Mission.

Sunday screening and stock room setup went smoothly as 250+ patients were placed on the schedule for the eight (8) OR stations, and 51 balikbayan boxes were inventoried and catalogued for this 6-day surgical camp. The entire crew was finally assembled on Monday at General Santos City District Hospital as the first day of surgery was well underway.

Day 1 of surgery for this 6-day mission has come and gone with at least 40 major procedures already completed with another 200+ scheduled for the remainder of the week. WSF would like to thank Kendra Nichols and Jon Eirkson from abc27 News in Harrisburg for accompanying us. We need all the help we can get in spreading the word about the work World Surgical Foundation is doing to help reduce the surgical burden of disease in developing countries. And abc27 has been instrumental in reporting the growing and continuing need for such work in places like Honduras and the Philippines.

Check back here for updates as the week continues. Thank you for all your help and support. Remember to tell your friends and family about WSF so we can continue to heal the world one patient at a time.