BACOLOD City — A total of 517 patients from Negros Occidental received free surgical treatment during a four-day “Libre nga Operasyon” mission at the Valladolid District Hospital from Sept. 2 to 5, 2026.
The surgical outreach, conducted by the Nikki Cares Foundation Inc., provided 139 major surgeries, 356 minor surgical procedures and 22 special procedures.
The mission was led by Dominique Lopez-Benitez in partnership with medical teams from Makati Medical Center and Valladolid District Hospital.
Among the procedures performed were surgeries for hernia, gallstones, hemorrhoids, goiter, nasal polyps, ovarian cysts, myoma, cleft lip and hysterectomy, as well as other types of cysts.
Patients underwent pre-screening before being cleared for surgery.
Lopez-Benitez said the initiative aims to provide quality surgical services to indigent patients and communities with limited access to healthcare.
For nearly nine years, the Nikki Cares Foundation has been conducting its “Libre nga Operasyon” surgical missions to help Negrenses obtain essential medical treatment without the financial burden.
Lopez-Benitez said the foundation remains committed to providing life-changing medical services through surgical missions and partnerships that help strengthen local healthcare services./PN
