PHILIPPINES MEDICAL MISSION - Global Aid Network Australia

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A little further out of metro Manila, the team visited Rapha Health Clinic. Alina, a missionary from Romania, had set up a permanent clinic building in the small area, yet there were generally too many patients to cater for. GAiN provided three doctors and two medical students, enabling slightly over 200 patients to be seen on a single day. The GAiN <strong>Australia</strong>n team was drawn from Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne, some having only briefly met for a single, intense training session, while others met for the first time on the mission field. The team came from a mix of backgrounds, careers and ages, though this proved no barrier to working together for a common purpose. Mobilising Resources to Help People We were also privileged to work with a number of local Filipinos who sacrificed time in travel, away from family and work commitments. A spe- cial mention goes to Dr Liza Orseno, Alicia Prima (ARP) and Jhules Lee (ARP), kuya Art & Ate An- nie Adriano (GAiN Philippines) who attended many of our clinics. Though half the team did not have a medical background and were concerned that they would not find a purpose during a fortnight of clinics, all service orientated, their ser- vant hearts proved otherwise. All team members were willing to serve to wherever they were re- quired, often without prompting. Typically larger teams have been sent to manage medical clinics seeing close to 100 patients per day. It was touching to see that in most clinics, though un- planned and short on bodies, there were many hands willing to be involved in children’s minis- try. All members rotated posts and were able to cover for each other, ensuring that the clinic ran smoothly and was not compromised. The places where the GAiN team has ministered
January 4 saw the GAiN team field two half day clinics. These, however, were not half capacity, but two full clinics, with close to 400 consultations in each of the two clinics in Quezon City. By God’s grace the team survived without any incident from the fatigue, stress or heat on the day. The trip also enabled GAiN to build relationships and set the foundation to do future work. At the halfway point, following our seventh clinic in Rodriguez, Rizal, partnering with Bagong Pagasa Christian church, the team also visited PGH - Philippines General Hospital, the largest hospital in the Philippines. Encouragingly, having recently become aware of GAiN’s work, PGH’s head of sur- gery announced that they were prepared to accept referrals from GAiN’s mission clinics in the future. Time was taken to tour the hospital and to place perspective on what GAiN was doing, show- ing the disparity in availability and cost of health services in <strong>Australia</strong> and the Philippines. The concept of medical mission is not one foreign to the Philippines. They are often conducted by politicians as a means of promotion and publicity. The GAiN team had come to share a gift lasting longer than a fortnight’s supply of medicines, not merely give a hand out. It was pleasing to all involved to see that even through repetition and fatigue, each and every member continued to smile while carrying out their duties. Mobilising Resources to Help People Their contrasting attitudes were even noticed by locals, where doctors would take time to sit and listen, to counsel and give advice. Typical medical mis- sions in the Philippines have paid doctors running through the motions and a small quantity of medicines given, however, what the team presented was apparently much much more. A number of minor surgeries were also performed, where patients would not have otherwise had the opportunity nor funds to have the procedure. Our final three clinics were conducted in Valenzuela City, Taytay, and Navotas in con- junction with with Saved by Grace Christian Church, Agape Rural Program (ARP) and Navo- tas Christian Community Fel- lowship respectively. At Tay- tay, the team were also able to distribute hygiene packs, con- taining soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste and a face towel. Children were taught how to use the products, some of them never having had their own toiletries before.
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PHILIPPINES MEDICAL MISSION - Global Aid Network Australia

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