CCMC to house cleft care center  

CEBU, Philippines — The biggest cleft care center globally is set to be under the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) soon, as it broke ground yesterday, following the city council’s nod to it.

The event was spearheaded by Mayor Michael Rama and Operation Smile Philippines (OSP) and Marquita Salimbangon Yeung Foundation Incorporated.

"The launch serves to celebrate the 40th year of Operation Smile, three decades of the Marquita Salimbangon Yeung Foundation Inc., and more than two decades of partnership between us in helping put new smiles on children's faces," said Yeung in yesterday’s press conference.

The facility will include surgical care with five operating tables, diagnosis/medical evaluation across specialties, feeding/nutrition care, dental care, speech services, and counseling/ support.

This will also serve as an Education and Training Center assisted by world-class surgical, anesthesia, pediatric, dental, nursing/midwives, child psychology, speech providers, and community health workers.

Rama, for his part, said having a world-class cleft care center aptly fits his administration’s vision of a Singapore-like Cebu City.

CCMC’s medical director, Dr. Anton Reposar, also welcomed this development as it is an additional service for the good of children with cleft lip and cleft palate, and speech defects, among others.

In a separate interview, Rama is also elated that the City Council had already approved his signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Operation Smile Philippines the other day.

Based on the approved resolution of Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera on the MOA, the non-profit organization OSPFI will build and construct part of the sixth floor of the CCMC that has an area of 1,700 square meters.

The city government initially allowed the OSPFI the said floor for 10 years without paying any rent and will employ and designate some personnel to assist the day-to-day operations of the cleft care center.

"This is fulfilling my childhood dream of being able to help our fellow citizens have safe and accessible surgical care. Both of our Foundations aim to bring quality cleft care closer to patients in the Visayas region by launching the largest center globally: The Cebu Comprehensive Cleft Care Center of Excellence," Yeung added.

Phase 1 of the cleft center is already expected to be operational in six to seven months from now. — Sanden J. Anadia, GAN (FREEMAN)