 | For its 6th anniversary, Tzu Chi Cebu Liaison Office chose to celebrate by conducting a medical mission. On February 19, 2006, a total of 54 TIMA volunteers and 154 volunteers gathered together to serve the residents of Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu. At the end of the one-day mission, the total number of patients served in the five departments was 2,116 – indeed a very good and fulfilling way of celebrating an auspicious day as one’s anniversary.
The Tabunok Medical Mission came to be through the invitation of TAHUM (Tabunok Association of Homeowners United in Millennium 2000). TAHUM was founded in the seventies when Tabunok was still known as a “killing field”. It was then a haven for criminals who hid out there, a dumping place for salvaged bodies, and a place where theft was rampant. Instead of fighting back with violence, some of the Tabunok residents opted to fight back with love instead. Knowing that poverty was the root of their problem, some of the residents united in an attempt to make Tabunok a better place. Since their establishment, TAHUM has been instrumental in putting up streetlights and cleaning up their area. There are now more and more factories being put up in Tabunok, generating more jobs for their residents. TAHUM has also been very active in inviting other organizations to conduct medical clinics and to administer feeding programs in their area. Though not entirely wiping out the crime rate, they have lowered it down considerably.
“Love is not asking from others, but is giving of oneself.” Though still at a very young age, Carl Stephen Tan knows the true meaning of love. Young PenPen, as his family fondly calls him, has been a regular volunteer during Tzu Chi’s medical missions, bringing refreshments to the other volunteers and patients at the mission site. When PenPen found out that the next medical mission was going to be held on his 11th birthday, he was ecstatic. He told his family that it was going to be an extra special day since he could celebrate his birthday serving others. A couple of weeks prior to the medical mission, PenPen was crestfallen when their school announced that they would be having a sports fest on the same day, and that attendance by all students is a must. Since he was not part of any sports team, PenPen begged his mother to write a letter to his school, excusing him from joining the activity. Fortunately, to his delight, the school agreed.
For most people, the Tzu Chi medical mission is a window of opportunity. Though majority of the patients in Tabunok who availed the free medical services and medicines had jobs, their daily earnings barely covered the basic needs of their family: food, clothing and the education of their children, while pushing medical welfare way down their priority list. With the golden opportunity of receiving free medical services and with medications, they can now afford to give importance to their own health and that of their children’s.
Francisco Nadal, a 25-year-old construction worker earning P200 a day, has a wife and 2 kids aged 7 and 8. Last year, after suffering from a slight sprain, he noticed a growth on his right foot. Over a short period of time, the cyst grew to the size of a fist. However, according to Francisco, since the cyst didn’t hurt and he was still able to walk properly, he ignored the “inconvenience” of having a big growth on his foot. When Francisco heard that the medical mission offered free minor surgery, he immediately grabbed the chance to have his cyst removed. Francisco was among the first batch of patients who waited in line very early in the morning to avail of the free medical services.
Cristita Racasa, 59 years old and mother of three, earns a living by washing other people’s clothes. For over three years now, she has been wearing either a hat or a cap to cover the big bump protruding from her head. After her operation, an overjoyed Cristita thanked her doctor and the volunteers profusely. Cristita believed that without her “horn,” she would look more beautiful.
Four-year-old Angelo Aquino got hold of a small ocra seed and stuck it in his ear last November . With Angelo’s well-being in mind, his mother decided to remove the seed by herself. Unfortunately, due to lack of proper instruments, the seed became lodged further into Angelo’s ears. Due also to lack of experience and skills, the mother caused more pain to Angelo when she attempted to forcibly remove the ocra seed. For over three months, Angelo would cry uncontrollably whenever anyone attempted to look into his ears. When Angelo’s mom heard about the medical mission, she immediately brought her son to seek professional help. In a matter of minutes, volunteer doctors were able to remove the seed from Angelo’s ears. According to the attending physician, it was very fortunate that they were able to remove the foreign body. Had the mother waited more, infection would have settled in, causing more harm to young Angelo.
Reymart Bandolon, though only 12 years old, had stopped schooling. For a couple of years now, he has been suffering from some sort of skin disease—causing blisters to appear on his right arm. Fearing ridicule, Reymart hardly went out of the house. His mother, Gloria, had to convince him to go with her to the free clinic for medical check up. On the onset of Reymart’s rashes, Gloria took him to a skin clinic wherein they were told to have it further checked for the possibility of leprosy. He tested negative. Gloria was relieved. Rationalizing that since Reymart’s twin brother has clear skin and that his five other siblings had no signs of breaking out into rashes, Reymart must have been having a simple case of skin allergy. Because Reymart was the quiet type—it was only during the medical mission that his mother was informed of the lack of sensation he had on his right arm. Along with this weakness in his right arm, he also lacked movement in two of his fingers. Thus, the doctor recommended that Reymart immediately go to the leprosarium for another check up. Tzu Chi volunteers assured Gloria that Tzu Chi will assist in the expenses of the check ups, subsequent treatments, and medications.
Eleven-year-old Reynaldo Plaza was with his aunt and cousin when he was accidentally hit on the face by the bamboo stick that his cousin was playing with. Knowing that there was a medical mission going on, his aunt immediately brought him to the mission site for treatment. As unfortunate as Reynaldo was in being hit by the stick, he was also lucky enough that there were doctors nearby. Evaluating his wounds, the attending doctor ordered a tetanus shot. After his treatment, Reynaldo’s aunt was very grateful because had Tzu Chi not conducted a medical mission, then Reynaldo would not have been treated right away which added to the fact that they could not afforded to buy anti-tetanus shots themselves.
“Life is impermanent. The society needs you, so act quickly. And while you are still able to walk today, quickly take the first step.”
2116 patients were served in Tabunok in a mere day. This step would hopefully urge the people in Tabunok to move forward together to change their society for the better - a place where the seeds of love and goodwill will take root and grow.
TABUNOK MEDICAL MISSION CASES
Leilani Bacus, 45 years old, cataract on both eyes, surgery recommended
Forty-five-year-old Leilani Bacus, accompanied by daughter Peachie Rose, went to the mission site to have both her eyes checked. According to Leilani, she noticed that her sight was dimming six years ago. She also informed Tzu Chi volunteers that she was diagnosed with diabetes way back in 1994. The diagnosis showed that both eyes have matured cataract.
When surgery was recommended, she was concerned with the medical expenses that this will entail since her husband, Nicardo, is a simple habal-habal driver (a motorcycle driver who takes on 2 to 3 paying passengers). The income from his driving barely covers their basic needs. Of their five children, 3 are married with families of their own, while the 2 younger ones still live with them. The Tzu Chi volunteers quickly reassured this mother of five that the foundation will take care of the medical expenses.
Incidentally, one of her children, Michael, also had his eyes checked at the mission. Michael was diagnosed with pterygium.
Diane Bacalso, F, 9 years old, Eye Department
Pretty little Diane Bacalso is a second grader at Tabunok Elementary School. Normally, patients at the Eye department are middle-aged or elderly adults, so it was very unusual to find this nine-year-old child among them. Upon closer look however, one would not fail to notice the whitish film coating the child’s right eye.
The doctor recommended that she first have an eye ultrasound. He explained that a better diagnosis can be made this way. Tzu Chi volunteers were, however, tentatively informed that a cornea transplant might be needed. If this were the case, Tzu Chi Cebu will readily extend its financial resources to help this child have a chance to normally see with both eyes again.
Early on, even before the consultation, volunteers were curious when they saw Diane alone—unaccompanied by an adult. Volunteers later learned that she was brought to the mission site by an aunt who lives near them. It turned out that her mother could not be with her since she had to work that day. Diane’s mom is a vendor at a poultry farm; with both parents separated and only one supporting all 7 kids, the 2 words that best describe her mother’s meager earnings are immensely inadequate. Volunteers thus vowed to do everything they can to help this child and her family.
Maria Muriel Echavez, F, 14 years old, Pedia and Eye Department
Volunteers gaped in disbelief when told that Muriel is fourteen years old. This little girl looked no more than a third grader—a fifth grader, at most. Mother Alicia brought her to the mission site to have the whitish film on her daughter’s right eye checked. After the eye examination, the child was referred to the Pediatrics Department as well. According to the ophthalmologist, there are other crucial factors to consider in Muriel’s case before proper diagnosis and treatment can be made.
Doctors at the Pediatrics Department informed volunteers that the child had possible hormonal problems, seeing as her growth was abnormally stunted. Muriel’s other health problems also came up; informing them of her kidney problem, recurring headaches, urinary tract infection, impaired hearing in one ear and mental deficiency. According to Mom Alicia, Muriel had to repeat first grade three times; she totally stopped schooling by Grade three.
Upon learning that Muriel already has a medical record at the same government hospital that Tzu Chi volunteers visit on a bi-weekly basis, volunteers advised Alicia to collate her daughter’s medical history, lab tests and other pertinent data and bring them with her the next time she meets up with Tzu Chi volunteers. Alicia was reassured that the foundation will help her with the medical expenses. |