BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya — Twenty-two individuals born with cleft lips and cleft palates benefited from free surgeries provided by the Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM) at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital (NVPH) here on Saturday.

Led by PBM's plastic surgeon Dr. Mel Anthony Cruz, the medical mission was in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bayombong Capital, Lumabang Shriners, and NVPH.

Gerald Gamboa, Rotary Club of Bayombong Capital president, said the patients underwent prescreening on June 13 after they submitted their registration starting May 8, 2024.

Gamboa said the patients also had to go through final screening on Friday at the outpatient department of NVPH before the conduct of the surgeries the following day.

Of the 22 patients, three came from as far as Apayao, Ifugao and Isabela provinces and were under one year old, while the oldest was a 30-year-old from this town.

"Our goal is to help and bring joy to the children with cleft deformities, especially those who are from underprivileged families," said Gamboa. Medicines and food were also provided to the patients and their families.

Gamboa thanked the PBM medical team as well as the personnel of the NVPH headed by Chief of Hospital Dr. Arlene Jara for their collaboration in conducting a life-changing event for the children and their families.

Also joining the PBM team during the medical mission were Dr. Francisco Matthew, anesthesiologist; nurses Levie Relato and Tery Hill Lisayan; PBM mission head Brenda Lee Caballero; PBM mission staff members Jonalyn Castañares, Johnly Dicdican, Roanne Puod and Arturo Godines.