Canadian Medical mission

CEBU, Philippines - A team of highly skilled medical practitioners from Canada left family  and work, for a while in Ontario, for a selfless humanitarian endeavor carried out at the Saint Vincent General Hospital from March 14 to 18.

In an interview with Dr. Ian Chin (Jamaican), Dr. Preston Tran (Vietnamese), Dr. Chien Li (Indian), Dr. Paul Titis (Greek), and Ms. Brenda Keane, R.N. (Irish) with husband, Sean Keane, R.N. (British), it was learned that it was the first time for them to carry out a medical mission here in Cebu.

Dr. Chin, who heads the team, said that the medical clinic was beneficial to both the recipients and the medical practitioners. They were able to extend free surgical removal of gall bladder stones and laparoscopic cholecystectomy to patients and introduce little incisions in the repair of hernia (two cases) and minimally invasive procedure in various cases like imperforated anus and goiter cases.

The team also learned of the sad state of healthcare services for the urban poor that they vowed to come back to be able to reach out to more indigent patients. "We met patients who complained of viral colds and complications, and got no money to purchase medicines," Dr. Chin shared. "Through the HELP Foundation, we were able to provide medicines which we get cheap," Dr. Li mentioned.

"The open, free clinic catered to around 800 patients for a total of five days – attending to needs of people from ninety days old to 90 years old," Dr. Titis noted.

Cases which touched them most were that of a three-year-old patient who has bouts with seizures and a four-month-old baby who had problems with bowel removal. "It's a case of epilepsy which needs neuro-pedia supervision. The other one is a case of imperforated anus. We just couldn't tell what the long-term outcome would be as we don't have the capacity yet for monitoring," Dr. Chin said.

Highlight of the mission was the turnover ceremony of the 10 dialysis machines as donations from Canada formally officiated by Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornley.

According to Dr. Tran, some other donations include wheelchairs, stretchers and walkers, catheters and syringes.

According to SVGH president Dr. Iben Ting, "this has been a memorable event for the hospital. It is very timely for us to reach out to the community to offer free medical services with the assistance of the Canadian medical team who has generously extended their time and expertise, and of course, with the help of our very own team of experts. This event was well publicized that it has helped in enhancing the community's awareness on the services we provide."

"The occasion is just the start of a partnership between us and Canada," Dr. Ting added.

The event was sponsored by Tai Guan Temple and SVGH Board of Directors in coordination with the office of Honorary Consul to Canada Robert Lee and wife Anna Lee. Volunteer anesthesiologists during the mission were identified as Dr. Christopher Codoy, Dr. Mary Allene Rama, Dr. Rica Go and company. — (FREEMAN)