Doctors answer their true calling

MANILA, Philippines – They went to the barrios as part of their scholarship grant, but in the end, their heart told them to stay.

The First Gentleman Foundation Inc. (FGFI) recently presented 38 new scholars of the Bagong Doktor Para Sa Bayan (BDPSB) program at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang. The foundation now has 100 doctors and would-be doctors to the barrios in its roster.

The BDPSP was inspired by former Sen. Juan Flavier’s barrio doctors program when the latter was Health Secretary. The program aims to turn “brain drain into brain gain.”  

According to Dr. Carmelo Alfiler, chairman of the FGFI Medical Board, the BDPSB started in 2006 with the first batch of 20 medical students from the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). In 2007 and 2008, 20 and 22 more scholars from the same universities joined the program.

“This year, to complete the 100 Bagong Doktor Para sa Bayan roster, we chose 38 of the best medical students – 21 from PLM, 12 from UP and five from West Visayas State University (WVSU),” Alfiler said. 

“The scholarship was opened to poor but deserving medical students in their fourth and fifth year of medicine proper. The scholarship covers tuition fees, allowances, uniforms, leather medical bags complete with medical equipment, internship allowances, pre-board allowances, board exam fee and former Sen. Juan Flavier’s books,” said FGFI president Juris Soliman. 

Upon finishing their scholarship and passing the board exams, the young doctors are deployed to marginalized communities around the Philippines by the Department of Health under its Doctors to the Barrios program. The doctors are expected to serve in the barrios for two years. 

“When I was young, I wanted to become a doctor but I followed my father’s advice and became a lawyer. In 2006, I was informed that the Foundation had received letters from poor but deserving medical students who were having difficulty completing their studies. I didn’t think twice; I knew what I had to do,” said Mike Arroyo.

On Arroyo’s 60th birthday in 2006, the first batch of scholars was presented. Each succeeding birthday was celebrated with a new batch of scholars, until the number reached 100. 

“Next year, we will look for 50 more scholars,” Arroyo announced. 

The first batch had 100 percent passing rate in the August 2008 medical board exams, with Lemeul Benedict Non from UP finishing in eighth place.

Non, originally from General Santos City, is now the only public doctor in the municipality of Kiamba in Saranggani Province. Kiamba, according to Non, has 19 barangays with a total population of 54,000. 

Non, 26, recalls how he got his baptism of fire when, eight days into his assignment, a conflict broke out between the military and the MILF. He knew he could be caught in the crossfire or be kidnapped but Non chose to stay and help the 800 casualties, mostly from the T’boli tribe.  

Non has become a symbol of hope for the residents of Kiamba as the young doctor streamlined healthcare delivery, mobilizing men and women much older than him and educating them about sanitation and malaria prevention.

“Nothing, not the books in medical school, has prepared me for this. It was so heart-warming to see that just my presence calmed them (the residents of Kiamba),” Non tells The STAR.

Another young doctor from the first batch of BDPSB is Romelei Camiling, who serves the 9,000 residents of the six islands comprising the municipality of Agutaya in Palawan, near the famed Amanpulo resort. 

Camiling relates that when she was about to leave Manila for Palawan, her mother in San Fernando, Pampanga was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo surgery. She was torn between caring for her ailing mother and heeding the call of duty. She entrusted her mother to the care of “my sister and Ms. Juris (Soliman of the FGFI)” and left for Agutaya. (See story below.)

In San Isidro, Isabela, Paulo Papillero is the first doctor the 22,000 residents have had in four years. 

“In San Isidro, when you go to the people and help them, they don’t have anything to give you. But sometimes, after treating 50 patients a day, some will give me live chicken, fresh vegetables and fruits. But their smiles are worth more than what I would have earned if I was working in Manila. I know I’ll extend my stay here,” Papillero says.

Niko Majarocon from UP is now assigned in Boac, Marinduque. His “territory” covers 61 barangays, and to get to some of them he has to cross rivers or hike seven hours uphill. 

“When I arrived in Boac, I had patients with tuberculosis who didn’t even know they had the disease. A few days later, more and more patients came to me because they became aware of the disease. I didn’t have medicine for this so I called on Tita Juris (Soliman) who immediately sent me 3,500 tablets (of TB medicine),” Majarocon says.

Heidee Exconde, also from UP, was “very disappointed at first” when she was assigned to Gajidiocan, Romblon composed of 14 barangays with a total population of 20,000. The municipality is accessible by boat, an 18-hour trip from Batangas to Romblon.

“Then as each day passed, I realize the people, though very poor, are real, very caring and kind. When they found out I like buko juice, every barangay I visit would serve me fresh buko juice in the shell. One time I was so touched that a patient gave me Victoria Secret lotion. They are not rich but they give me the best of what they have,” Exconde says.

“I’ll stay in Gajidiocan. In every detail of my work here, I see the hand of God, making my work very fulfilling in spite of the many challenges. My work cannot compare to the generosity of the people here,” she concludes.

The rest of the doctors from Batch 1 are now serving in interior towns across the country. The second and third batches of doctors are eagerly waiting their turn to be of service to their countrymen.

At the simple ceremony in Malacañang, all 100 scholars expressed their gratitude to Arroyo. 

“Don’t thank me,” he addressed the scholars. “I don’t expect thanks from anyone. Just do good to others. Instead of going out of the country, stay in the barrios. That’s the only way you can thank me,” Arroyo said.