April 13, 2024
Helping families help others: Tzu Chi Philippines 262nd Medical Mission
By Dorothy Castro
Many patients started their day early lining up outside the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Gymnasium on April 4th. Among these were children, adults, senior citizens all waiting to be given medical assistance.
Inside the gymnasium, volunteers, doctors, and student nurses gathered and started their preparations for accepting patients. The consultations were categorized based on the patients’ needs, may it be medical assistance for general medicine, pediatrics, dental, or ophthalmology.
Ronald Dela Cruz, one of the patients, was assisted by his neighbors who saw him having difficulty walking. He was enduring a painful bump that had formed on his foot, 15 days prior. While he had no companion that day, he was lucky to have come across his neighbor who accompanied him throughout his check-up and trip back home.
Ronald is a widower, recently left alone to take care of his two children when wife passed away one year ago due to cardiac arrest. “After I had gone to take my children to school, I went home to see my wife unconscious. I did not know what to do; we brought her to the hospital, where she stayed for four days,” Ronald recounted.
Since then, he has solely supported his family as a farmer. “I also took on sideline work as a painter on highways,” Ronald added. His earnings from this work are what sustained them in the 15 days that he has been unable to work due to his aching foot.
With his earnings temporarily sustaining his family, he went to the medical mission in Isulan with the hopes of his condition improving. During the medical mission, his foot condition was seen and assessed by Dr. Beatrice Ang, and Ronald was advised to have his laboratory tests done.
“They gave me medicines such as antibiotics to address the infection, paracetamol, and ointment for the pain and itching,” Ronald enumerated his doctor’s recommendations. Ronald explained that he was instructed to return to the doctor if his foot condition does not improve.
“I am very grateful that I was given medicine,” Ronald expressed his heartfelt thanks.
Very much like Ronald, Meriam Zacaria Sangki devotes her time and love for her granddaughter Raihan, who faces various health issues that affect her growth.
“The doctor said that the illness may be related to the brain. She cannot speak, she cannot hold on to things, she cannot sit, get up, and she cannot stand or lie on her side. This is the only way she can lie down,” Meriam described the challenges that Raihan goes through.
Meriam’s love for her family extends to her dedication to cooking. She cooks barbecued bananas and pastil, selling them to her neighbors for income. Raihan’s mother on the other hand has moved to Manila to make a living for the family as household help, with the hopes that she could find greater opportunities to earn.
With Raihan’s mother working, Meriam took on the role of caring for Raihan. She recounted how challenging it can get when Raihan is feeling unwell. “When she feels well, she is relaxed and can sleep well. But when she gets sick, she cries day and night. That is when it becomes very challenging for me,” Meriam explained.
Meriam brought Raihan to the medical mission to get her health assessed, after hearing from their barangay that Tzu Chi Philippines’ 262nd Medical Mission will take place. It was also their first time learning about Tzu Chi’s mission.
After being seen by the doctor, Meriam received medicine for Raihan. Overcome with emotion, she thanked Tzu Chi Foundation. “Of course, who would be unhappy to receive so much help for the baby? To be honest, I was moved to tears, because I feel so much sadness for her,” Meriam said.
Many patients wait outside to be welcomed into the gymnasium for the medical mission. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Patients queue for their medical assessment forms. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Patients enter the gymnasium in an orderly manner. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A preliminary inquiry on the patients’ needs is done before entering the gymnasium. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Each registration area is categorized by the area of medical care that is provided. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A Tzu Chi volunteer has a conversation with a patient while waiting for their turn to be seen by the doctor. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Meriam Zacaria Sangki, grandmother of Raihan, gives Raihan milk while waiting to be seen by the doctors. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A Tzu Chi volunteer helps Ronald Dela Cruz to get his medicine from the pharmacy. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A MedTech student from Sultan Kudarat State University collects blood samples from a patient for her blood test. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A student nurse from Sultan Kudarat State University monitors the patient’s blood pressure. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A child is comforted by his guardian as he completes his checkup. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Many adult patients also got their free checkups at the general medicine area during the medical mission. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A MedTech student from Sultan Kudarat State University transfers the blood sample for the laboratory tests. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Meriam Zacaria Sangki waits for her turn to receive Raihan’s medicine at the pharmacy area. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A student nurse checks the medication and vitamins to be given to the patient. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
One of the vitamins given to the patients during the medical mission is ascorbic acid, to help with the patients’ immunity. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteer Elvira Chua helps the student nurses check the medications at the pharmacy area. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tooth extraction is also one of the free dental procedures offered during the medical mission. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Medical tools for dental procedures are sanitized and well-organized during the medical mission. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Reading glasses were prepared to be given to patients at the ophthalmology consultation. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A patient tries the reading glasses given to her after the consultation with Dr. Magan. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Ronald Dela Cruz, father of two, tells his story of how he provides for his family. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Meriam Zacaria Sangki cries as she talks about her love for her granddaughter, Raihan. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】