Plan to be part of a team that daily sets up mobile medical clinics in impoverished areas in the greater Manila area and also communities approximately 1 hour south of Manila. The team is made up of US health care professionals including nurses, occupational/physical therapists, pharmacy technicians, nurse practitioners and physicians. Joining the team are Filipino nationals who live in the neighbors and communities that we serve. We provide free medical care, therapy and health education, basic labs, free portable ultrasonography studies, free reading glasses, and free medications. It has a significant effect on the community as it provides a free service to a population that is in need. Our local Filipino teammates provide translation for each US team member. We work with the endorsement of each local community municipal leaders. We offer prayer support for the patients physical and mental health concerns.
The members of each community benefit from the access to new diagnoses, ability to discuss previous diagnoses, free therapy and education and medications that they otherwise would not be able to access due to financial and physical constraints. We also make house visits based on recommendations of the Filipino community members with whom we are serving. We are able to allay fears and also identify new or ongoing health issues that need follow-up. We are helping patients properly prioritize diseases and concerns as well as educate with preventative measures.
The impact is significant because it provides much needed care to a population that would otherwise not be able to access it due to any number of constraints common to an impoverished area. We are able to direct follow-up care to proper specialties as indicated. I have been on this annual team for over 10 trips. My learning is due to seeing and caring for conditions not frequently seen in my stateside practice as well as working with other US physicians whose practice specialty is different from my own. In addition, I work alongside medical students and residents who often are part of the team, participating in their ongoing education. I've developed relationships with Filipino nationals who have a shared desire for the health and welfare of their community. I continue to be challenged, motivated, inspired and committed to medicine as a vocational calling.
My two week trip to the Philippines was fantastic. We traveled to 7 different areas to do 1-2 day mobile medical clinics. Our team had nurses, doctors, a 2nd year medical resident, a nurse practitioner, physical therapists, and several non-medical personnel. We provided free medical consultation with free medications and therapy as well as free reading glasses for older patients. Our national partners provided assistance and translation. Some patients had very little access to medical care due to finances or logistics or transportation issues. Some patients wanted 2nd opinions and some just wanted reassurance. Many patients received new diagnoses with education and discussions for ways to followup locally, while others received ongoing checkups for chronic problems that had been neglected. We provided a wheelchair and walker for 2 patients that were in need and had no financial means to purchase the needed mobility devices. We were privileged to meet several local officials that were familiar with our volunteer work in past years and were grateful for our partnership in meeting the health care needs of filipino nationals. All locations were either around an hour radius of Manila or south of Manila. All the areas were rural or semirural with limited access to health care. We were able to do hypertension, diabetes and smoking cessation education with those who needed it. Our radiologist performed ultrasonography alongside the providers. I am always encouraged and challenged medically in this setting. We were able to spend the time we needed to treat people's physical needs as well as address spiritual needs also in a holistic manner. I enjoy the camaraderie of the other on the team as we consult each other and work together to provide what care we can. I am grateful for the Doximity Foundation for supporting me in this endeavor.
