LDS Charities Partners with Bacolod-based Eye Center to Improve Vision

In an effort to help individuals and families become self-reliant, LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Negros Eye Specialists  at the Lady of Mercy Hospital, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City on 6 November 2017.

The agreement is for a continuing program of both parties to grant cataract and other surgeries to indigent patients. Witnesses to the signing of the MOU were Dr. Douglas Mehr, Opthalmologist from Utah; Benjamin S. Candari, stake (diocese) of Bacolod Philippines Central Stake; Jose Ma L. Plaza, Bacolod Philippines South Stake; and Anthony Ballon, stake president of the Bacolod Philippines North Stake.

Present likewise were Elder Remus Villarete and wife Sister Yvonne Villarete, couple missionary of the Church's welfare services, Elder and Sister Zorn, and George Kenneth Lee of LDS Charities.

Dr. Francisco Rufino Adriano P. Elumba and Dr. Christian Millarez witnessed for Negros Eye Specialists.

Along with the MOU signing was the turnover of equipment from LDS Charities to Negros Eye Specialists. The equipment is to ensure successful eye operations to elderly clients from remote barangays who are deprived of financial and surgical options.

Dr. Miguel Sarabia, Dr. Francisco Rufino Adriano P. Elumba and Dr. Christian Millarez,  in their response to the support extended by the Church, expressed their gratefulness for the opportunity given them to work together with LDS Charities under its expanded program "to increase their capacity to perform more cataract surgeries intended to eliminate unnecessary blindness." 

The project satisfies the LDS Charities' Vision Care program, which is to prevent avoidable blindness and visual impairment, to strengthen eye care services to the poor by mentoring vision professionals who work in health care organizations, and to provide equipment, supplies, and organizational support to these eye care professionals and programs.

The agreement between both parties hopes to solidify the welfare of both parties in improving vision care within the Negros Island Region. 

As the Church's humanitarian arm, LDS Charities aims to help relieve suffering, foster self-reliance and provide opportunities for service.