THE SOUTHERN Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) became the first hospital in the country to have a Humeca Meek Graft Machine and Dermatomein Burn Treatment Machine.
The machine is a highly specialized tool for treating burn victims particularly those who suffer more than 30% total body surface area burns. The machine closes affected burn wounds twice as fast which decreases infections twice as much compared to other burn machines.
The P2.9 million machine was donated by Davao del Norte second district Representative Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo who sponsored its purchase.
The Junior Chamber International Kadayawan Chapter initiated the acquisition thru their flagship project “Lamdag sa Kabataan, tugon ng Kadayawan.”
Floirendo said no government money was used in the purchase of the said machine and that his sponsorship was requested by his partner, Cathy Binag as their birthday gift to the people of Davao.
Dr. Arnulfo Enriquez vice-director of the SPMC Burn Center first approached the congressman for assistance in purchasing the machine by sponsoring the JCI Kadayawa project.
The SPMC Burn Center is the largest burn unit in the country which treats about 300 to 500 burn patients annually.
Dr. Rizal Aportadera head of the SPMC Burn Unit said with the machine they can treat patients better and faster.
He said the machine is so expensive that many hospitals will just rent it.
Dr. Aportadera thanked Floirendo for his gift which will benefit many burn patients.
Floirendo hopes the machine can treat burn patients not just from Davao City and his constituents in Davao del Norte but would also benefit burn patients from across Mindanao.
Aside from the burn machine, the district representative has also ordered more specialized gauze for the Humeca Meek Graft Machine.(By Rudolph Ian Alama)
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