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| Amai Pakpak Medical Center Chief Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin cites the relevance of having an eye tissue retrieval center and promoting corneal donation. Amai Pakpak has just opened an eye tissue retrieval center which is considered the 1st in Mindanao. (Jason Casas/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur) |
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Recognizing the challenge of implementing a corneal donation program in a Muslim-dominated area, the Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC) is eyeing to boost its partnership with the religious sector and hospitals outside Marawi and Lanao del Sur for its cornea retrieval program.
"We acknowledge the challenges that it can bring to us. But APMC is a growing hospital. Recently, dumadami yung mga patients namin 9our patients] from nearby cities like Iligan and even as far as Bukidnon and Zamboanga [are increasing]. They are potential donors," said APMC Chief Dr. Shalimar Sani-Rakiin.
She said they are also planning to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the public and private hospitals and even local government units in nearby cities, municipalities, and provinces that are non-Muslims.
Rakiin is optimistic that they can overcome the challenge of hesitancy among the local Muslim population through the help of religious leaders and Muslim scholars, particularly on the dissemination of Fatwas (Islamic rulings) on cornea transplantation.
“Collaboration and partnership among organizations have always proven to be crucial in preventing and countering blindness which continues to be a major public health problem. Based on surveys, corneal disease ranks fourth and a cause of visual disability and ocular mobility in the country,” she said.
With the support of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, APMC has opened an eye tissue retrieval center considered to be the first eye tissue retrieval satellite center in Mindanao.
'Nanawagan po kami sa mga taga Marawi, sa mga taga Lanao del Sur kasama na rin ang mga nearby cities at municipalities na ngayon ang APMC ay mayroon nang Eye Tissue Retrieval Center at tumatanggap kami ng donors ng cornea para magamit ng ating mga kapatid na kailangan ng corneal transplant. Tayo lang po for a start ang naging partner ng Eyebank of the Philippnes [ sa Mindanao]. Sabi nga nila, give the gift of sight," the medical center chief added.
[We appeal to the people of Marawi, to the people of Lanao del Sur including the nearby cities and municipalities. APMC now has an Eye Tissue Retrieval Center and we are accepting cornea donors for our brothers and sisters who need a corneal transplant. For a start, we are the only partner of the Eye Bank of the Philippines [in Mindanao]. As they say, give the gift of sight.]
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