April 8, 2024
4,348 patients avail of free health care services in Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission in Sultan Kudarat
By Joy Rojas
Tzu Chi volunteers from Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Zamboanga brought free quality health care to the masses in a medical mission held from April 4 to 6 at the provincial hospital and gymnasium of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, in Mindanao. This marks the 262nd medical mission since Tzu Chi organized its first in Baguio in 1995.
The massive undertaking was made possible through the leadership of Dr. Josefino “Jo” Qua and the hundreds of volunteer doctors of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), as well as the support and generosity of the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, SOCCSKSARGEN Masonic Foundation, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of South Cotabato and Tacurong, and Sultan Kudarat State University.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Datu Pax Ali Sangki Mangudadatu, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Administrator Jimmy Andang warmly welcomed Tzu Chi volunteers, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for their “unwavering dedication to serving others and your compassionate spirit. Your presence here today shines a light of hope upon the people of Sultan Kudarat.”
A total of 4,348 patients availed of free health care services ranging from general medicine and pediatrics to ophthalmology and dental medicine. A pharmacy was set up to dispense free prescription medicines and supplements to patients.
Seventy surgeries were also conducted during the three-day event. Volunteer doctors performed 38 thyroidectomy (goiter), 25 herniorraphy (hernia), one cholecystectomy (gall bladder), one mastectomy (breast), 2 cyst removal, and 3 minor surgeries at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital.
Sultan Kudarat Provincial Health Officer Dr. Gina C. Galintao was amazed at the huge turnout, and praised Tzu Chi for running an organized and accommodating mission. “We knew there was going to be a surgical mission, but we never expected so many to come for consultations,” she said.
“Thank you Tzu Chi Foundation for conducting your medical and surgical mission and choosing Isulan. It’s quite expensive for patients who have to undergo surgery, even if some of them can afford it. Despite the recent earthquake in Taiwan, you still continued with your medical mission. I hope you have a second one in Isulan because there were so many others who were not aware and would like to avail of it.”
Tzu Chi Foundation first established ties with Mindanao in 1998, when a drought caused by El Niño brought volunteers to Mindanao to distribute rice to the hungry.
Of their latest medical mission in Sultan Kudarat, Dr. Jo Qua said he and the entire Tzu Chi contingent considered themselves as happy as the patients they treated “because this was our chance to help others.” He credited Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital for providing them with everything they needed. “They are part of the success of our mission,” said Dr. Jo.
Sultan Kudarat Provincial Gymnasium in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, served as the venue for Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission from April 4 to 6. Besides its spaciousness, it is also conveniently located next to the provincial hospital, where the medical mission’s surgeries were performed.【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Patients of all ages and from all walks of life availed of the free quality medical services offered by Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission from April 4 to 6 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. At the end of the three-day event, Tzu Chi’s volunteer doctors attended to 4,348 patients and performed 70 surgeries.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Patients of all ages and from all walks of life availed of the free quality medical services offered by Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission from April 4 to 6 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. At the end of the three-day event, Tzu Chi’s volunteer doctors attended to 4,348 patients and performed 70 surgeries.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Patients of all ages and from all walks of life availed of the free quality medical services offered by Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission from April 4 to 6 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. At the end of the three-day event, Tzu Chi’s volunteer doctors attended to 4,348 patients and performed 70 surgeries.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Patients of all ages and from all walks of life availed of the free quality medical services offered by Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission from April 4 to 6 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. At the end of the three-day event, Tzu Chi’s volunteer doctors attended to 4,348 patients and performed 70 surgeries.【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Patients of all ages and from all walks of life availed of the free quality medical services offered by Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission from April 4 to 6 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. At the end of the three-day event, Tzu Chi’s volunteer doctors attended to 4,348 patients and performed 70 surgeries.【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A volunteer dentist administers anesthesia on a young patient before his extraction.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Officer Dr. Anton Lim addresses surgery patients.【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
Dr. Jo Qua transfers a young patient from the operating room to the recovery room.【Photo by Tzu Chi Zamboanga】
Tzu Chi volunteers sort through various medicines and supplements, all given to patients for free through the medical mission’s pharmacy.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
The medical mission’s lone ophthalmologist Dr. Remegio Magan (left) checks a patient’s eyes.【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
A Tzu Chi volunteer assists a patient in securing a pair of reading glasses.【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Surgeries were conducted simultaneously during Tzu Chi’s three-day medical mission. Doctors performed 38 thyroidectomy (goiter), 25 herniorraphy (hernia), one cholecystectomy (gall bladder), one mastectomy (breast), 2 cyst removal, and 3 minor surgeries at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
In a thanksgiving dinner following the successful medical mission, Dr. Jo Qua said he and his fellow volunteer doctors were as happy as the patients they treated “because this was our chance to help others.” He credited Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital for providing them with everything they needed. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi Zamboanga Liaison Officer Dr. Anton Lim thanked the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital for helping facilitate Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission. “We’ve been through a lot of hospitals but we’ve never met a host hospital as efficient and as welcoming as yours,” he said. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Sultan Kudarat Provincial Health Officer Dr. Gina C. Galintao was amazed at the huge turnout at the medical mission and hoped there would be a second one. “Thank you, Tzu Chi Foundation, for conducting your medical and surgical mission and choosing Isulan,” she said. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Light moments and bonding with fellow volunteers and patients contributed to the success of Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Light moments and bonding with fellow volunteers and patients contributed to the success of Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
Light moments and bonding with fellow volunteers and patients contributed to the success of Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Light moments and bonding with fellow volunteers and patients contributed to the success of Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
Light moments and bonding with fellow volunteers and patients contributed to the success of Tzu Chi’s 262nd medical mission. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】