Free brain operations for the poor

TANGERANG: Since its establishment last February, Siloam Gleneagles Hospital-based National Brain Foundation here has given free brain surgery to 51 poor patients, a foundation executive told the media on Tuesday.

The foundation chairman Dr. Eka Julianto Wahjoepramono said the most recent operation was given to two-year-old Dilla Novita, a daughter of a poor couple Edi Junaedi, 23, and Ela Melasari, 19, who live in Sangerang village, Cipondoh district, Tangerang.

Eka who led the team of surgeons on Oct. 8 said such a free operation was made possible in cooperation with Lippo Karawaci and Lippo Karawaci Blood Donors Club.

He added that the foundation offers financial assistance to any poor patients after a screening test to determine their eligibility.--JP