BORONGAN, Eastern Samar
– The second medical mission which started from January 16 - and ended
January 27, 2006 concluded with sense of worth after a supposed holiday for
the US medical team from the Diocese of Joliet in
Illinois.
The 16 member-team was
composed of 5 medical doctors two of which were Filipinos-US based from
Pambohan Northern Samar, three nurses, 4 nurse anesthetists, one nun, one
priest, a surgical technician and a Fil-Am businessman from Ilocos region.
Doctor Victor Paul Trinkus
and wife Mary Jane both gynecologists were the head of the team. According
to them this year’s medical mission was very fulfilling because they helped
63 patients whose cases were medically substantial in the sense that somehow
they were able to minimize possible cancer patients among the marginalized
constituents.
Marlie Cenera the over all
coordinator of the mission disclosed that the team brought with them from
the US 2 anesthesia machines 6 mechanical beds, medicines, crutches and
other medical equipments worth 336 Thousand Dollars equivalent to 18M Pesos.
These were very useful during the surgery of patients with ovarian problems
and vaginal hysterectomy, thyroid and goiter cases, hernia, chest operation
and removal of cysts and recommending them for further diagnosis.
Cenera added that these
medical equipments were turned over to Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso of the
Diocese of Borongan for him to decide which hospital to donate. Dr. Trinkus
urged the diocese to ensure the maintenance of the equipments for the next
medical missions to be conducted and has to be used with utmost
considerations for the poor. These were the only terms that the US medical
team raised during its closing and evaluation meeting.
Cenera further disclosed
that the medical mission of the Diocese of Joliet is a 10-year term
commitment which also aims to equip a hospital and train its staff who will
also be committed to work full time to that hospital, (whichever hospital
that the bishop recommends). Cenera said the Provincial Hospital will be the
recipient of all these equipments since it is the only government hospital
which cooperated in the conduct of mission and the provincial government
also gave a counterpart through the commitment of governor Evardone.
The Diocese of Borongan will
sustain the BKMM (Bulig Kablas Medical Mission) through the partnership with
the Provincial Health Services. In fact, Marlie Cenera in charge of the
program said, part of the proposed condition in the deed of donation, that
the BKMM patients identified by the parishes all over the province will be
given priority in the utilization of the equipments donated by the Diocese
of Joliet.
The provincial government
through its governor Ben P. Evardone legislated by the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan gave an amount of 480 Thousand Pesos as counterpart to the
mission. Evardone also ensured the utilization of the facilities of the
Provincial Hospital in the conduct of the 2-week-long medical mission. Dr.
Buddy Evardone the chief of the hospital and Dr. Reinerio Zamora the head of
the Health Department of the Province together with the resident physicians
and nurses formed the local medical team to support.
Beneficiaries of the medical
mission tearfully testifies to have been relieved from expenses of more than
150 thousand pesos and the misery of pain and discomfort not to include the
anxiety of waiting for death. A middle aged mother whose uterus was
defective and was suffering for years lamented “Pareho ka hin nakikiaway
nga waray ka armas mapatay ka na la nga waray panangga” (You are like
fighting in a war unarmed you face danger without protection and die). “Pero
salamat may ada mga tawo nga nabulig han sugad ha amon nga mga pobre” (But I
am thankful there are those who help poor people like us). “Salamat” (Thank
you).
