6th ID supports "Operation Smiles"-RIC CLET/MARIZ REVALES

Camp Siongco,Cotabato City – More than 200 cleft,/palate patients from South Central Mindanao will benefit in the five day medical outreach program dubbed as  "operation smile" to be conducted on June 7-June 11,2011 at Camp Siocon Station Hospital, Headquarters of the 6th Infantry Division  (6ID) here.         Operation smile is a jointly activity of the 6th Infantry Division,Joint Special Operation Task Force Mindanao of the US Army and other partner –stakeholders such as Manila and Davao based plastic surgeons and anesthesiologists and Cotabato City based Non Govrnmeeent Organizations Junior Chamber International.      "These free surgical operations on patients who have cleft lip/Palate aims to change the lives and restore the smiles of the patients after they will be undergone surgical operations. With the joy of the patients  their positive outlook  rebuild  their confidence" said LTC Col Noel Dela Cruz of the Civil –Military Office  (CMO).        He added that this project is the command's humanitarian mission for the patients who are in need of immediate medical attention and  this is open to all local residents in Central Mindnao with such condition.      Meanwhile, in an interview with Staff Sergeant Justin Stafford  of the US Army said that out of more than 200 screened patients only  65 were  scheduled for operation due to some medical procedures.        Patients  who were screened age ranges from  6 months to 16 years  old came from the towns of Malabang,kapatagan, Balabagan  all of Lanao del Sur and Buldon,Matanog and Barira of Maguindanao province.          The humanitarian  mission also demonstrate the mutual and harmonious relationship among the AFP,US Army,Local Government Units,Non Organ izations and the Civil Society Organizations.