
18/07/2025
๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐, ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ
โOnce we accept our limits, we go beyond them.โ
These are the words once said by one of historyโs greatest minds, Albert Einstein. From the dawn of our existence to the peak of modern innovation, it has always been our desire to explore, question, and create that propels us forward. Yet, even as we push our boundaries, we are constantly reminded of the limits that hold us back.
These limits take many forms, some come in the frailty of the human body, while others are imposed by circumstances beyond our control. Limits are no stranger to humanity and nowhere are these boundaries felt more deeply than in healthcare. Despite being recognized as a human right, access to quality medical care remains out of reach for some. In the Philippines, while some hospitals are equipped with skilled doctors and advanced facilities that are able to cater to specialized operations, the reality is that not all hospitals could say the same.
For instance, brain surgeries are often only available in hospitals near the capital or in distant urban centers, forcing patients to travel far and spend significant amounts of money just to receive treatment. This is one of many problems that forces a barrier for patients to proper careโuntil Dr. Derek Ben Jabines and his team managed to break through.
On July 17, 2025, the first-ever awake brain surgery, or craniotomy, in the island of Panay had been successfully performed in the province of Iloilo. This landmark procedure was conducted at Western Visayas Medical Center, which was led by Dr. Derek Ben Jabines, a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon, who was then assisted by Dr. James Mercado from Davao Doctors Hospital, anesthesiologist Dr. Ceres Lucot-Laud, and neuropsychiatrist Dr. Paul Christian Sobrevega. This 6-hour operation was done in order to remove a tumor located in the eloquent areas of the brain, which are regions responsible for pivotal functions such as speech and movement.
Craniotomies are delicate and complex procedures that involve temporarily removing a section of the skull or the cranium to access the brain to perform various operations such as removing tumors, repairing aneurysms, and addressing other brain conditions. In the case of awake craniotomies, the patient is kept awake and alert through the process, which allows the surgical team to perform real-time brain mapping, helping preserve important functions all while safely removing the tumor.
This operation did not just save a life but also signify progress in the road to deliver accessible healthcare to all. This opened the possibility of patients not needing to board a plane and spend more money on top of an already expensive procedure just because nearby hospitals do not offer these procedures. As time progressed we slowly began to see more hospitals and more doctors performing these crucial operations. While we still have a long way to go, this incredible operation showed that weโve come a long way. Just like the quote from earlier, โOnce we accept our limits, we go beyond them.โ After all, where limits end, progress begins.