Laguna Medical Center receives Neonatal equipment from the Church to save more lives of newborn children

On March 27, 2023, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated neonatal equipment to the Laguna Provincial Hospital, now called Laguna Medical Center (LMC). The turnover ceremony was attended by several medical directors, service missionaries, and Church leaders, including the Provincial Governor, Ramil L. Hernandez.

The aim of the donation was to address the lack of medical equipment and to assist provincial doctors in ensuring the safety of newborn babies.

Also present at the ceremony were members of the Santa Cruz Stake (Diocese) Welfare and Self-Reliance (WSR) Committee, led by President Mark Anthony S. Paloma, Stake (Diocese) First Counselor representing President Michael Oliver B. Gomez, Stake President; President Arvee Buenaventura, Stake Second Counselor; Elder Brendan and Sister Patricia Hayne, Service Missionaries; Noel D. Paredes, San Pablo and Cavite Mission Area Manager; and Cecile C. Cortez, Stake Communication Director, and other local leaders.

Dr. Judy A. Rondilla, LMC Chief II, expressed her sincere gratitude and appreciation for the contributions that will help indigent newborn babies in critical care. Dr. Francia Sobrevinas, LMC Pediatrics Head, spoke about the answered prayer for the equipment, saying, "It was my prayer as a mother and a doctor that this equipment be provided because I know the feeling of a mother who tries to pray to save her baby in the neo-natal department, a matter of life and death seeing your child amid a critical condition."

Dr. Francia expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the Church's support. Elder and Sister Hayne highlighted that these donations were part of the members' worldwide effort in supporting the humanitarian goal of the Church. The neonatal equipment and other paraphernalia can closely monitor and support newborn babies in their care, providing essential medical interventions to those poor babies in critical care. It can also help reduce the risk of complications and long-term health problems and improve the chances of survival for premature or critically ill newborns.

Elder and Sister Hayne echoed Dr. Francia's sentiment, expressing their pleasure with the Church being able to contribute to the community. President Gomez thanked LMC for giving the Church an opportunity to help the community and hoped that the neonatal equipment and devices would be well taken care of by the hospital. The Church's donation is a testament to its commitment to help those in need, and it is hoped that this act of kindness will inspire others to make similar contributions to their communities.