New diagnostic equipment and advanced training for surgeons—these are in store for the UP-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), following the P15-million donation from Okada Manila on August 8.
The amount provides for the purchase of a fluorescein reading device. According to Dr. Nelson Cabaluna, chairman of the UP-PGH Department of Surgery, this piece of equipment can be used in a wide range of procedures in various medical subspecialties.
The donation also includes grants for UP-PGH surgeons to go to Japan or Hungary and undergo further training in fluorescein-guided operations. The funds will also allow experts from the International University of Health and Welfare in Tokyo, Japan and the Japanese Society for Fluorescence-Guided Surgery to conduct training programs in the Philippines.
In his message, Justice Manuel Lazaro, board chairman of Okada Manila, revealed that the idea of donating to UP-PGH stemmed from one of his conversations with Hajime Tokuda, managing director and board member of Okada Manila, who said he wanted to “contribute to the health and welfare of the Filipino people.” It was then that Lazaro informed him about the University and UP-PGH.
Okada Manila President Kenji Sugiyama added that the donation was a gesture of gratitude to the Philippines. “We were given the opportunity to [do] business [here] as foreigners, so we must contribute and give something in return.”
UP Executive Vice President Teodoro Herbosa, Cabaluna, and Dr. Rodney Dofitas, UP-PGH coordinator for linkages, received the check from Okada Manila. They expressed the University’s gratitude and confidence that the donation can only yield positive results for medical practice and health care in the country. (Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO)
