Medical Mission 2020: Call for Volunteers

Last July, Eileen and her husband, Jovel and Melanie from UPMASA and my brother and I visited Malaybalay and met with the governor and the other key government officials such as Dr Legaspi, chief of the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital and Mayor Flores of Malaybalay. The governor approved the mission. We also surveyed the hospital and the open air auditorium where the mission will be held. Located about 3000 feet above sea level, Malaybalay will be quite cool most days in February. We also checked out some of the hotels in the city and chose one (Loizas) which is about 300 m from the hospital. Note that the governor has assured us of the security of the province.

I will try to share some of the photos we took. Bukidnon is called the “Baguio” of Mindanao and has many beautiful vistas. The drive from Cagayan de Oro City is quite scenic.

The easiest way to reach Malaybalay is from Cagayan de Oro City. It is a 2 hour drive over some mountains but the highway is well-paved. There are many flights to Cagayan de Oro via PAL, Cebu Pacific and other local airlines.
Again please make sure your PRC licenses are current. If not, you (MDs and RNs except for the DTDTs) will have to apply for a Special Temporary Permit. Go to the website of the Philippine Regulation Commission and under the section of International Affairs, download the application and the requirements. Note that as of May 2019, PRC no longer requires authentication of US licenses by the Philippine Consulate provided that your US license will have the Apostille stamp by the respective Secretary of State. For more information, google Apostille stamp and your respective state. After completing the requirements, please mail the documents to Jovel Dacumos of Pahinungod. Her address is Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, Mezzanine Floor, PGH Central Building, Taft Ave, Ermita, Manila, Philippines. I can also deliver the documents when I go to the Philippines in October.

A new activity is a whole day CME seminar for the local health professionals on Feb 7. Eileen is in charge and has lined up speakers for the CME. This is in partnership with the Bukidnon Medical Society.  My classmate also offered to put up a wellness fair for the patients waiting for their turn at the clinic. It will only be for a day.  A dental reconstruction team will also be joining us in this mission.

Looking forward to a successful mission.
Glenn