In April, HIS Foundation sent the first orthopedic mission team to the Philippines. The team was invited by two nonprofit organizations namely the Heavensent and the Gift of Life. The team served in a government hospital (Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center) at the Tagbilaran City, Province of Bohol. The focus was pediatric orthopedic patients. The team consisted of 15 members including an orthotist hired from Manila, Philippines.
HIS File
- Team members: 15
- Outpatient: 20
- Surgery patients: 10
- Patients age: 16 months to 9 yr
- Braces (AFO): 11
The medical center is the largest government hospital and is very busy. The orthopedic surgeons of the hospital pre-selected 20 patients from their clinics. Many patients come from poor remote areas. The pediatric orthopedic conditions are frequently those that the local doctors do not manage. We selected 10 patients for surgery and 3 were put on waiting list for future surgeries.
Pray for patient before surgery 
Surgery
Team member had photo with patients
Farewell
The hospital and the non-profit organizations had done a lot of preparative works. Admission and surgeries went very smoothly. Since the hospital has limited surgical equipment, we brought all we needed. We purchased wheelchairs and walking aides locally.
In mid-June, a small follow-up team will return to see the postoperative patients. The casts will be removed. Patients will be fitted with braces and taught rehabilitation exercises.
Case Sharing:
Case# 1:
A 12-year-old girl had right elbow fracture. It healed with abnormal alignment
Right elbow alignment before surgery
Normal alignment of the elbow after surgery.
X-ray taken during surgery
Case# 2:
5-year-old girl with myelomeningocele
It led to left clubfoot
Severe left foot equinovarus deformity
The left foot is in a cast after surgery
Case# 3:
4-year-old child with cerebral pals, tight heelcords and hamstrings
Patient moves forward in
squatting position
Patient in long leg casts after surgery.
Please pray for swift recovery of our patients. May they recover good function and have happy living!
May God bless you abundantly!
Sincerely,
James Lau, M.D. Board Chairman