I recently returned from my vacation in Philippines on the 27th of August, and enjoyed it very much.
When we arrived, I found there was a lengthy process when giving to certain local hospitals as I was told the head of the hospital would have to approve of it. Instead, I was able to get in touch with the Head of the Medical Outreach Unit at the Bohol Provincial Governor’s Office, and provide the medical supplies to her unit to be distributed throughout the Medical Mission Group Hospital & Health Services Cooperative of Bohol. The hospital provides medical, surgical, pediatric, and gynecological care. They had also recently worked with a non-profit organization called Faces of Tomorrow to provide free cleft lip/palate surgery. Everyone was very appreciative of the supplies as most of the hospitals in the city lack sufficient funding and supplies. My brother was hospitalized for a short period during our vacation stay at another hospital in the city, and the staff there also mentioned a very limited supply of gloves and alcohol swabs/antiseptics.
The reason it was important for me to take a suitcase was that I truly wanted to help those most vulnerable. Even more so, it comes at no cost and minimal effort, but can change the lives of so many that are struggling with the basic right to healthcare that I easily take for granted here in Canada. It became an even greater humbling and real experience as we toured the city, saw the long line-ups for public hospital care, and later with my brother’s hospitalization where we experienced it firsthand. I work as a Registered Nurse in Toronto, and seeing the contrast in healthcare access has brought my increased awareness and appreciation to every single glove, alcohol swab, gauze, and piece of tape I use. The fact that I was able to bring even one suitcase, and hopefully help someone access what they so desperately need, I know the effort on my part was well-worth it.
I have attached pictures of the NJT forms, a picture of the Provincial Governor’s Office where the medical outreach unit is located, and pictures of the suitcase being given. From the left is my uncle, mother, and a few outreach staff members respectively, with the Head of the Medical Outreach Team Ms. Liza P. Flores holding the NJT sign.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to make a difference. It was a beautiful experience overall, and I hope I get the opportunity to carry another suitcase in the future. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Melenee
