YEAR 2006 has indeed become life-changing for many Filipino children. Through the efforts of the Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM) and its partners, the predicament of disadvantaged children with oral clefts and craniofacial anomalies have been heard and addressed.
Being the oldest charity institution in the country that gives free medical, surgical and rehabilitation treatment to children born with cleft lip/palate, last year, PBM operated 858 children with oral clefts under the Smile Train Grant Program, which has been in effect for the past four years and has just been renewed for another year.
Seventy-seven children with hydrocephalus and meninggoceole have also been treated. PBM teams up with the National Children’s Hospital for this program.
Fourteen hospitals in the National Capital Region and 21 hospitals in the provinces have joined the PBM supervision, dental care and speech therapy. As of last year, five doctors have been taking plastic and reconstructive fellowship training under PBM sponsorship while two other doctors already finished and are accredited surgeons.
Other services rendered were the PBM Family Program, which includes capability build-up training, values formation augmentation under the Chandumal Mirani Assistance Fund.
FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
Because of the increasing demand to treat these defects, PBM is now in the process of establishing a craniofacial center in the country. This center will only be the second of such kind in the South East Asian region, with the first one located in Singapore.
Oral clefts and craniofacial anomalies are among the most common birth defects in the world. In Asia, the incidence is particularly high. In fact, the prevalence of the said birth defects is two out of 1,000 live births, which translates roughly to 3,000 to 3,500 Filipino children inflicted yearly. Most of which belong to the lower strata of society.
This means that with a center in the Philippines, the services that PBM offers would become larger in the scope and reach. Nearby countries can likewise avail of these services.
The center is also geared to provide training and continuing education to doctors in the Philippines as well as those neighboring countries.
A TEAM EFFORT
PBM’s major donors include Smile Train USA, Philip Morris Phils. Manufacturing, Talents Trust, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Gandhi Memorial Foundation, Bob C. Mirani Memorial Park. Aside from these, PBM currently has 137 sustaining members.
Beyond serving the physically challenged who are mostly financially disadvantaged, PBM gives the children and their families a boost or morale and a better future ahead. Not only are smiles restored, lives are also transformed. With PBM’s operations in full swing, hopes shines even brighter.
Be a part of the group! Join PBM in saving and changing lives. For more information, call PBM at tel. nos. 404-2516; 404-2517 or cp. no. 0917-9624162.
|
