3D Printing Boosts Surgery in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Did you know that 3D Printing is much in use already in surgery in the Philippines?

As we hear much about world news on 3D-designed and printed prosthetic devices such as limbs and hands, and how it has made prosthetics being more cost effective, it is interesting to note that the Philippines is not far behind.

Dr. Rafael Bundoc, esteemed surgeon from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and professor at the Section of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedics at the UP-PGH will share how the country is in step with the world in 3D printing as he gives a talk on “The Amazing Applications of 3D Printing in Surgery” at the first ever Philippine 3D Printing & Digifab Conference and Expo on August 7 to 9 at the SMX Taguig, SM Aura, Taguig City.
According to Dr. Bundoc, Surgeons generally rely on routine radiographs, CTScans and MRIs to provide them two (2D)or three-dimensional (3D) images of disorders that they have to treat. 

Very often they use these images in creating a pre-operative template on how they will plan to operate on their patients.

It has been their experience as well that sometimes they are confronted with much more complex intra-operative findings other than what they have conceptualized from images at hand. This lecture will show how ordinary desktop 3D printing can give surgeons a detailed three-dimensional model for a more accurate pre-operative surgical templating.”

Dole Outs: The Answer to Poverty Alleviation?

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Dole outs? Hindi ba mas magandang that the government empower them? Providing the Metro's poor with livelihood skills, trainings for behavioral change, job opportunities, and providing them with good social services are way better than just giving them money. Just don't give them fish, but teach them how to fish. Kapag naubos ang dole out, maghihintay na naman sa bagong ililimos? At hindi ba madami din sa nakakatanggap ng 4Ps ang hindi qualified?" - Heizel Laru-an Mainar
In reaction to an article published by the Inquirer.net regarding the P3.32 billion in Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) funds in 2016 to be distributed to the so-called "poorest of the poor" communities of Metro Manila, "bringing to P6.74 billion the National Capital Region’s allocations under the government’s flagship poverty alleviation program during the 2015-2016 period."

The article continues to say "The amount, however, put the NCR’s two-year budget only in the 12th position among 17 regions nationwide, which received a total allocation of P125.05 billion," as reported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the lead agency implementing the program.

Though, "In order to get these cash subsidies, children beneficiaries must be enrolled in school and maintain an attendance of at least 85 percent of class days every month. On the other hand, children aged 5 and below must get regular preventive health checkups and vaccines while those aged 6 to 14 must receive deworming pills twice a year. Pregnant women beneficiaries must avail of pre- and post-natal care while parents are required to attend family development sessions, which include topics on responsible parenting, health and nutrition."

I still believe giving out dole-outs is the wrong move.

All Systems Go for the Philippine 3D Printing and Digifab Expo & Conference 2015

 
Wazzup Pilipinas!

Imagine a world where creating a product was as simple as “making” it in your own backyard.

Want chocolate? Print it at home. Want those cute pumps? Print it at home. Fashion jewelry? A human organ. A bicycle? A toy action figure? A 3D printer allows us to practically “make” anything. 

3D Printing has been rapidly making waves in the maker community and has been touted to usher in a new age in manufacturing. 

And the Philippines better be well and ready for this next industrial revolution.

Thus, it’s all systems go for the first ever Philippine 3D Printing and Digifab Expo and Conference 2015 on August 7 to 9 at the SMX Taguig at SM Aura.

3D Printers have been present since the 80’s but it has registered rapid growth as it is now being used in medicine (making prosthetics and even replicas of human organs for surgery), aerospace, car manufacturing, architecture, footwear production, fashion jewelry manufacturing, name it.