Reaching out!

Among the 45 tribal natives now training to become community health workers, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital on the Coastal Road, is Datu Makalibre Roberto Hautea, 60 years old, of the Matigpantaron, Langilan Tribe. He comes from Pantaron Langan, Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

When Sister Eva Fidela Maamo was recruiting candidates for the course, he presented himself as the representative of his tribe. Sister Eva thought that as a Datu he had too many other responsibilities. She suggested that he leave the job of barefoot doctor to a member of his tribe. He said: “No! I want to do that work myself. It’s important!”

The training in basic health is complete, covering hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, mental health, how to make herbal medicine from the plants that can be found in their area, gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases, vital and skin infections, ENT diseases, acupressure, therapeutic message, bleeding and shock, fractures and splinting, wound care and basic suturing.

The course trains the tribal natives to become multi-faceted community health workers, not just as healthcare providers but also as teachers and community organizers. It integrates the basic health and sanitation practices into their indigenous culture without sacrificing the cultural traditions and beliefs of each tribe.

In addition to health care, the course covers community organizing; the rights and responsibilities of our indigenous peoples; human dignity, spirituality and Filipino values in a tribal family; responsible parenthood; value formation; cultural preservation and leadership.

The training coordinator is Doctor Joeffrey Quiring. On his teaching staff are 15 doctors and pharmacists, 6 Sisters of Saint Paul de Chartres, and 5 nurses and medical technologists.

When the graduate leaves the Coastal Road he carries with him all the equipment necessary to the blood transfusions, to treat ordinary diseases, and even for minor surgery.

One of the most valuable practices in the training of the barefoot doctors is monitoring the tribal natives when they go back to their people. It is this monitoring that has revealed how effective the training is.

The barefoot doctors are not only a blessing to their tribe. They become inspirational leaders - organizing their people into strong local communities, proud of their culture, proud of their tribe.

Seniors

This came to me from Johnny Mercado, one of the finest journalists in this country. It is on the internet.

“Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

“However, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was not the senior citizens who took. . . . . .

The melody out of music,

The pride out of appearance,

The courtesy out of driving,

The romance out of love,

The commitment out of marriage,

The responsibility out of parenthood,

The togetherness out of the family,

The learning out of education,

The service out of patriotism,

The Golden Rule from rulers,

The nativity scene out of cities,

The civility out of behavior,

The refinement out of language,

The dedication out of employment,

The prudence out of spending, or

God out of government and school.

“And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interaction with others.”

* * *

Thank God that these reflections apply principally to America, and not to the Philippines. The quiet, conservative, gentle Filipino treasures all of our beautiful customs. Our national virtue is hospitality, which is really love. . . . reaching out to others, sharing, caring, kindness, compassion. We have been blessed by God.