A total of 307 boys availed of free operation tuli in Kinatarcan Island, Sta. Fe, Cebu last May 29 and 30, 2021.
The activity was organized by the Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation Inc. (SNAF), the Bitoon Barangay Council and the Visayas Primary Healthcare Services, Inc. (VPHCS).
The SNAF is the social development arm of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) which is the religious order administering the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino de Cebu.
Kinatarcan Island is located in the Tanon Strait 12 kilometers northeast from Bantayan Island in the northern part of Cebu. The island is part of the Municipality of Santa Fe and comprises three barangays, namely, Hagdan, Kinatarcan and Langub which are connected with each other by a circumferential island.The island can be reached from the Municipality of Daanbantayan, 136 kilometers from Cebu City by a pump boat ride lasting for about an hour.
The activity was held in the Bitoonsports complex. Bitoon Barangay Captain Marcos Gilbuena facilitated the activity with the support of his personnel to ensure the orderliness of the boys and their parents and observance of the health protocols. Funds were also appropriated by his barangay for the food provisions for the activity.
The operation tuli was composed of 12 staff members and volunteers of the VPHCS, led by its program physician Dr. Erlinda Posadas, and 12 personnel of the Medellin Rural Health Unit led by its Municipal Health Officer Dr. Oliver Gimenez.
The VPHCS provided the surgical instruments of the tuli and prepared the supplies and medicines bought with funds from the SNAF. It also coordinated with Dr. Gimenez who willingly provided his personnel to serve in the tuli.
