BY CARLA KRISTINE VIA & JUSTINE ADRIAN AMORA/UM Interns
THE YOUNG Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) conducted the annual free Operation Tuli on Wednesday, May 20, in partnership with Brokenshire College and DC Maharlika Lions Club, held at Lanzona Gym, Lanzona Subdivision, Davao City.
Operation Tuli is a flagship program of the YMCA held every summer break in their office at Jacinto Extension for more than 15 years but due to renovations, this year’s outreach catered at least 100 patients of barangays 10 and 11B at Lanzona Gym, with the local officials aiding in inviting patients for circumcision in the area.
This year’s outreach is also organized in cooperation with the DC Maharlika District 301-E Lions Club for the first time, as initiated by YMCA director and DC Maharlika Lions Club member Fernando Ongkingco Jr..
“Actually, other barangays also hold their own operation tuli. But they cannot accomodate everyone since [their operation tuli] are limited. So we come in for the purpose of circumcising those who are uncircumcised.” Ongkingco said.
More than 50 doctors and nurses from the Brokenshire College Community Extension Services assisted in the operation and the distribution of medicines for the circumcised.
Emergency respondents were also in the venue to attend to possible medical emergencies from the procedure.
