Watching on TV the tremendous damage brought about by the typhoon Ondoy in Metro Manila, I decided to extend my medical missions in the damaged areas. I called up friends to collect medicines. I also called up the Philippine Airlines for free cargo.
I arrived in Manila October 2, 2009 with 62 big boxes of medicine. Barangay officials were coordinated for the schedules of medical missions in their respective barangay. Health volunteers from Manila were invited - physicians, nurses, midwives, nursing aids, etc.
October 3, 2009; Saturday: Medical mission in Barangay Tanyong, Marikina where the famous badly affected Provident Village is located. The team was composed of 4 doctors, 12 nurses, 6 barangay health workers and about 20 non-medical volunteers. A total of 280 patients were served.
While the medical team examined patients, the Society of Saint Pius X baptized children, consoled victims and distributed rosary, food and non-food items in the evacuation center.
October 4, Sunday: Coordination with other barangays for medical mission schedules. Barangay Officials of Tatalon in Quezon City were coordinated. The evacuation center at Tatalon Elem School was visited and needs assessment was conducted.
October 5, Monday: Medical mission in Tagupo, Tatalon, Quezon City where the Kabignayan fire amidst the flood occured. The team was composed of 2 doctors, 4 nurses, 6 non-medical volunteers and 8 policemen to provide security to the team. The place is known for notorious personalities. A total of 346 patients were served.
October 6, Tuesday: Medical Mission at Malanday National High School in Barangay Malanday, Marikina along Marikina river where the school building was submerged up to the second floor. The team was composed of 2 doctors, 3 nurses, 6 teachers and 5 other non-medical volunteers. A total of 92 patients were served on the first day and 288 patients on the second day, October 7, Wednesday.
October 8, Thursday: Medical mission in Barangay Tumana, Marikina with 3 doctors, 4 nurses, 4 barangay health workers and 10 non-medical volunteers. A total of 358 patients were served on the first day and 392 patients on the second day, October 9, Friday.
October 10, Saturday: rest day
October 11, Sunday: Medical mission in the evacuation center in Barangay Nangka, Marikina with 2 doctors, 5 barangay health workers and 10 non-medical volunteers. A total of 142 patients were served.
October 12, Monday: Medical mission in Area5, Barangay Bagong Silangan, Novaliches, Quezon City with 1 doctor, 3 nurses, 6 teachers, and 20 other on-medical volunteers. A total of 262 patients were served.
October 13, Tuesday: Medical mission in Holy Family Parish, Barangay Gulod, Novaliches, Quezon City with 2 doctors, 3 nurses, 4 barangay health workers and 15 non-medical volunteers. A total of 679 patients were served.
October 14, Wednesday: Relief goods and supplies from Gen.Santos City were claimed at the Manila International Airport. The goods were packed until 11:30pm.
October 15, Thursday: While the medical team examined patients at Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal, the Society of Saint Pius X distributed goods at Barangay Bagong Silangan, Novaliches, Quezon City.
More areas were visited for medical mission like Cainta, Taguig, Antipolo, Muntinlupa, etc.
While the medical missions were conducted in Metro Manila area for the typhoon Ondoy victims, another typhoon, Peping, hit the northern provinces of Luzon. The team is planning of going to these provinces to extend health services to these areas.
The damage of the typhoons is very extensive. Although several agencies, government and private, extend various assistance, the need is still enormous. It is hard to determine the end of the mission. For as long as we have the medicines and supplies, the mission will go on.
I went home to Gen. Santos City on November 1 for the celebration of All Souls and All Saints Day. While in Mindanao, more medical missions were conducted in Gen. Santos City and Sarangani Province.
On November 15, 2009, I went back to Manila for more medical missions in the provinces of Laguna, Rizal and Zambales. After several medical mission schedules, I went home to Gen. Santos City on December 10, 2009.
END OF MANILA MEDICAL MISSION . . .
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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