general santos city

In May 2024, FISSH conducted a week-long surgical and dental community engagement in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines. Long before the outreach begun, our dedicated local FISSH team in GenSan had already started serving the community by identifying and evaluating patients in need of surgical care. They also began performing minor surgical procedures at our partner facility, RO Diagan Cooperative Hospital, ensuring that many patients received timely treatment while others were readied for more complex operations during the outreach. Their commitment and tireless efforts laid a strong foundation for a successful community engagement, allowing our visiting medical team to maximize its impact and bring hope and healing to even more individuals.

A majority of the surgical cases were thyroidectomies. In addition, lymphadenectomies, parotidectomies, inguinal herniotomies, dental surgeries, tooth extractions and other surgical cases were also performed. A very special procedure—the very first done at RO Diagan Cooperative Hospital, were two cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy! Even after the US team returned home at the end of the week, our local team continued their operations. By the conclusion of the outreach, a total of 180 patients had received life-changing surgical interventions, restoring health, relieving suffering and offering renewed hope to individuals and families throughout the community. This milestone reflects the dedication of our local and visiting medical teams, the support of our partners, and the generosity of those who made this community engagement possible.

Throughout this time, FISSH witnessed the overwhelming need for surgical care among patients from these communities. Many individuals continued to live with treatable conditions simply because they lacked access to safe, affordable surgical services. In response to this urgent need, FISSH committed to return in March 2025 to continue providing life-changing surgeries to those who need them most.

“To everyone who becomes a partaker of His grace the Lord appoints a work for others. Individually we are to stand in our lot and place, saying, "Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8. Upon the minister of the word, the missionary nurse, the Christian physician, the individual Christian, whether he be merchant or farmer, professional man or mechanic—the responsibility rests upon all. It is our work to reveal to men the gospel of their salvation. Every enterprise in which we engage should be a means to this end.” (Ministry of Healing 148.2)