The UPMASA medical mission was held in Malaybalay, Bukidnon from Feb 2-7, 2020.

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.

The Medical Mission in 2021 is cancelled. Looking forward to another medical mission after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Glenn Batiller MD, ’80

UPMASA MEDICAL MISSIONS:  22 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS VOLUNTEER ACTION

BY ROBERTO U VELASCO, MD’70 (FELLOW: AMERICAN ACAD ORTHO SURGEONS & PHIL ORTHOPEDIC ASSOC.)

Inception:

1992 – 93: initiated by UPMASA New York-New Jersey-Connecticut chapter. Among the prominent advocates and supporters: Dr. Paulino Cruz and Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz, Dr. Emmanuel Lat and Dr. Zenda Garcia-Lat, Dr. Bienvenido Jongco and Dr. Anita Ortega-Jongco, Dr. Geraldine Gomez-Pinder, Dr. Lulu Ramirez-Plurad and Dr. Arthur V. Plurad, Dr. Marilyn Aldeguer-Resurreccion and others.

1994: Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz: volunteered to be the FIRST chairperson of the NY-NJ-CT Medical Mission (later became: UPMASA Medical Mission)

1995: Under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Lat UPMASA president elect and Dr. Al Manahan UPMASA National president, the UPMASA Medical mission committee was formed (nucleus = NY-NJ-CT medical mission) and was led by Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz

Exponential Growth and Expansion (1995 – 2001)

1995 -Dr. Miriam Cosca-Cruz (chair, 1995 – 2001): Established Guidelines, procedures, protocols

1995 -Partnership and collaboration with the Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod-Manila.

Single Target Mission Action areas: 1995, 1997.

Double (back to back) Target Mission Action Areas: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.

Continued Steady Growth and Expansion (2002 – 2005)

Dr. Lulu V. Ramirez-Plurad (chair, 2001 – 2003) and Dr. Marilyn S. Aldeguer Resurreccion (chair, 2004- 2005).

2002: Start of UPMASA funding support. Increasing number of volunteers and increasing number of patients treated in target areas. Partnership established with Catholic Medical Missions Board.

Pototan, Iloilo (2005) – the only exception target Area – Solo UPMASA only; no volunteers from Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod.

Growth with Special Collaborations (2006 – present)

Dr Frances Tolete-Velcek (Chair 2006-2009), was assisted by energetic movers. Iman and Zenda Lat, coordinated the following target areas: 2006 (Gingoog), 2008 (Baroy), and 2009 (Hilongos).   2007 (Tuguegarao) was actively coordinated by Elsie Antonio.

Dr. Valentin N. Dolorico (chair, 2009 -2017): Increasing Medical, Nursing, Dental Volunteers and Non-Medical Volunteers.

2013: Calapan Medical Action – Partnership with Oriental Mindoro Association of California (OMASC)

2014: Dipolog Medical Action- Partnership with Univ of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical School Alumni.

2015:  Candon, Ilocos Sur (& Vigan – 2nd phase) coordinated by Dr Candonino Gazmen

2016: Maasin Leyte – Partnership with Diocese and local Health Government

2017: Vigan, Ilocos Sur – Provincial Governor and Auxiliary, coordinated by Dr Frances Tolete-Velcek and ran under Acting Chair Dr Glen Batiller and who was subsequently named new CHAIR of Medical Mission 2017 onwards

Medical Mission Funding

1995 – 2001: NY-NJ-CT chapter funding support + individual fund raising.

2002 – Present: UPMASA funding support for medication, supplies, some equipment and Pahinungod expenses.

90% of expenses covered by individual and chapter fund raising (exceptional fund raiser: Dr. & Mrs. Valentin D. Dolorico 2010 – 2017).

Note: UPMASA volunteers pay their own way to and from mission target area and their own lodging (plus Pahinungod travel and lodging) expenses

Medical Mission Partners:

1. Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod/Oblation Corps: started in 1994 by UP President Emil Javier to

“Institutionalize the spirit of social commitment and service that has marked U.P. since

It was founded in 1908.”

Pahinungod: Cebuano term closest to Oblation = offering or sacrifice. Volunteers are known as Pahinungods.

University wide program with Pahinungods in Social Service, Education (Gurong Pahinungod), Agriculture, Health Care, Urban Area and other programs

Currently most active: Pahinungod Manila (for Health care, Street Kids and 8 other active programs) and Pahinungod Los Banos (for Agriculture).

Pahinungod Manila annually does 15 – 40 medical missions within the Philippines. UPMASA coordinates/joins one medical mission with them. Provides surgical volunteers and liaison to dental and SUKOB (eye) volunteers. Do some on site pre Mission patient screening and some Post mission surgical follow up. Very active participation in surgical procedures during UPMASA medical missions. Assists in Philippine licensure fulfillment (temporary or permanent) for USA UPMASA volunteers.

1. Catholic Medical Missions Board – provided medications (2005 – 2011)
2. Bausch and Lomb: lenses
3. Mercury Drug & Unilab (Philippines): medications
4. Oriental Mindoro Association of California (OMASC) (2013): liaison to local government provided surgical gowns and drapes, food for volunteers, hospital cots for post op Medical mission patients.
5. University of the East Medical Alumni Association (2014) – volunteers, liaison to provincial hospital
6. Divine Mercy Society (Texas) (2017) – medications, non-medical activity.

Elements for Success

Memorandum of Agreement between: UPMASA medical Chairperson, UP Chancellor Manila (for Pahinungod Manila) and local government (for local budget for food, local transportation, mission site [operating rooms, clinic areas, restrooms, lodging areas, security]). Consent and participation of local government is imperative. Consent and involvement of local health MDs and officials for patient selection and follow up (only indigent patients to be seen and treated by mission personnel so there is minimal impact on local practitioners’ income). USA presence of a Target Area representative [coordinator] (preferably UPMASA member).

Coordination with Pahinungod Manila for purchase and transport of supplies to target area; and post missions expeditious referral to PGH of complex cases.

UPMASA funding support, robust fund raising and expense control.

Typical Action Schedule:

Day 0: Arrival of US Volunteers in MNL. Transport of Supplies from MNL to target Area.

Day 1: Arrival of US Volunteers + Pahinungod Volunteers in Target Area. Sorting of Supplies, Final Surgical screening. Surgical procedures start in the PM.

Day 2: – 5: Medical, Surgical, Dental Mission

Day 6: Post mission conference (preferable with local medical personnel); Repack/transport of supplies back to MNL. Rest & recreation (near target area) for all volunteers.

Day 7: Return to MNL.

Ongoing Activity:

Many UPMASA and USA volunteers ship supplies and equipment for medical Mission Use: Ship to: Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod, Mezzanine Level, Philippine General Hospital, Taft Ave, Manila.

To Join: contact Medical missions chair: www.upmasa.org Click on medical missions.

Future Directions:

Explore preventive measures to decrease or eliminate goiter and hernia incidence (most common general surgery cases); and cleft lip/cleft palate (common pediatric plastic cases). Establish relationship with local MDs for continued surgical education and collaboration during mission days; and continued medical education in coordination with UP-PGH. Explore ways to prevent chronic medical conditions. Stronger association with other charitable groups for treatment of complex medical and surgical cases e.g. Handog Ngiti.

73,123 cases since the Medical Mission’s inception.   5387 surgical cases.   6986 Dental & 60,749 medical consultations. The numbers are staggering.   These patients touched our lives and tagged on our Missioner’s hearts to keep going back.

Prepared by: Roberto Velasco, MD. ‘70

Author’s Random thoughts and observations: (from personal participation since 1997)

UPMASA medical missions subscribes to the Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod mission statement: “To serve the Underserved.”

Local Practitioners resent medical mission activities especially if pay patients are seen by medical missions. UPMASA medical missions take great pains to do preliminary screening so indigent (charity patients) are the major beneficiaries.

The most productive, rewarding and successful missions usually meant several target mission area visits by the coordinator and/or the chair; and the involvement of the mayor, governor and congressman/congresswoman of the target mission area.

Active and current Philippine Medical license required especially of surgical personnel.

My preference is to perform orthopedic procedures with the local orthopedic surgeon (for better pre-OP evaluation and long term Post OP patient care).

Re: Tabulation Data: My sources:
1. In 2005 there was a trifold piece paper (color – light green) incorporating data from the medical missions (1995 – 2005). This was prepared by Marilyn Aldeguer Resurreccion (then the Med mission chair) for the 2005 AGC. (Just like now – and more so then – many of our alumni are not aware of [or don’t believe] in the medical missions).

2. The July 2010 AGC souvenir program (published by the Northern Calif chapter) : has the tabulation data incorporating the above data and tabulation made current up to 2010 (Siaton) with Bani as the proposed 2011 target area.

2014  Dipolog and Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.   SEE related POST

2016  Maasin, Leyte poster

 

MISSION PICTURES

Medical Mission on Media: You tube and Flickr

See related information under Committee; Medical Mission

Help the Medical Mission:  DONATE NOW

SPECIAL TOPIC:  Medical Licensure in the Philippines for Medical Missions
If you are a surgeon or anesthesiologist joining the medical mission (working in the hospital), you will need an STP (Special Temporary Permit) or you can renew your original license when you took your board exam for a permanent 3 year license. If you intend to go on missions regularly or travel to the Philippines (PHL) for an extended time, I advise you to renew your old license.
If you are joining as a medical doctor (internist, pediatrician, family practice, etc.) they have not required a PHL license unless you will be working within hospital premises. It is still advisable to get a permanent one, it is not expensive.
Log on to www.professionalr regulatory commission and click on Special Temporary Permits at the bottom of the left column.
Scroll down to:
Category E: permit for humanitarian mission for a specified time only
Category F: renewal of an old license good for 3 years
You can download the application forms.
Ms. Jovel Dacumos (email: [email protected]) coordinator for Ugnayan Ng Pahinungod in PGH will be able to assist you. You will have to send her the necessary documents and fees. This way you will avoid having to go to the PHL consulate and having them notarize your documents.

 

Current CHAIR:   Glenn Batiller MD Class ’80, Anesthesia.  Cell: 312-493-0292.   [email protected]

Former Chair:  Val Dolorico,MD
8308 Alexandria Court
Sarasota, Florida 34238
941-924-4524 home
941-228-0094 cell
email: [email protected]