Earlier Missions
Negros Oriental2017
The 2017 medical mission was held in Dumaguete City and was made possible by 149 volunteers along with staff of the Dumaguete City & Negros Oriental Provincial Health Offices and local private practitioners. A total of 6,187 indigent residents of Dumaguete City and nearby cities were provided with medical, surgical, dental, optometric, orthotic and pharmacy services. There were 82 major surgeries (34 general, 11 plastic, 14 gynecological, and 23 ophthalmologic) plus 119 minor surgeries. A total of 3,584 patients were provided outpatient medical care. Another 1,198 patients received optometry services, 968 dental, 53 orthotic and 183 imaging services. In addition, health education, CPR training and continuing medical education lectures were held.
The volunteers not only donated their own precious time and paid for their own travel, but also donated medications and supplies. These same volunteers also participated in fundraising events and packing of supplies. Six of the volunteers even donated blood to save the life of a patient.
The most memorable part of this year’s mission was our 9 year old hero who, two months before the mission, had found an abandoned newborn baby with a cleft lip in a ditch at a local cemetery. Despite already having 3 children in the family, the parents welcomed the baby as their own. This baby’s cleft lip was repaired by our plastic surgery team. It’s been a great honor to have been a part of this extraordinary story.
We are extremely grateful to all the volunteers and donors who continue to support our medical missions!
Ilocos Norte2016
Thanks to the efforts of the PMSNC members and volunteers, in conjunction with the local government and a local organization, this year’s medical mission was successfully held in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. A team of more than 160 volunteers served a total of 6597 patients. CME lectures were held for both students and medical staff, and one of the young volunteers also donated basketballs to students of Gabu Elementary School, a poor barangay in the area. Seventy one major surgeries were held at the Laoag City General Hospital (9 cheiloplasties, 7 cholecystectomies, 1 exploratory laparotomy, 1 excision of a large mass, 21 hernia repairs, 1 hydrocelectomy, 12 gynecological procedures, 1 parotidectomy, 15 thyroidectomies, and 31 ophthalmology procedures. There were 153 minor surgeries. Outpatient clinics were held at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium where 2213 adult medicine patients and 930 pediatric patients were seen. There was 453 point of care treatment/testing and 982 health education teaching (individual and group). Dental services (including extractions and consults) totaled 597 and optometry services provided care for 1167 patients.
Bohol2015
About 140 volunteers joined the 2015 mission to Tagbilaran, Bohol. In 2013, the province was devastated by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake which was then followed by the deadliest Philippine typhoon ever recorded in modern history and killed at least 6,300 people. Seven thousand six hundred and sixty six patients were served. Two hundred sixty nine patients had surgeries (190 general procedures, 66 major, 124 minor and 79 ophthalmology surgeries.) The outpatient service took care of 7,397 patients with 2,815 adult, 1,071 pediatric, 1,782 dental and 1,303 optometry patients. 257 lab tests were performed and 169 received health education.
Tarlac2014
The 2014 mission provided care for over 5,000 patients. More than half of those were seen in the adult medicine (1,715) and pediatrics (1,100) clinic. Surgical care included 142 minor and 45 general surgeries (including consults/triage for 449 patients), 3 orthopedic, 28 plastic, 24 OB-gyn and 21 ophthalmology procedures (mostly canalization for glaucoma.). Our volunteer human engineer fitted 55 prosthetics and, including follow up visits, saw a total of 105 patients. Our dental team served a total of 1,273 patients.
Pangasinan2013
A total of 10,375 patients traveled long distances and waited hours to be seen by 180 of our volunteers. Fifty six patients underwent major surgery (16 plastic, 20 OB-gyn, 238 ophthalmology) and 269 had minor procedures. Forty four patients were fitted with prostheses and 1,558 were provided with eyeglasses. Finally, our dental volunteers saw 1,239 children and adults. The rest were seen in the outpatient department.
Occidental Mindoro2012
One hundred forty six volunteers served the most destitute of patients during to San Jose. There were over 11,300 patients of which 107 had major surgeries (39 plastic, 17 OB-gyn, 36 ophthalmology, 19 thyroidectomies, 17 hernia repairs, 1 mastectomy, 2 parotidectomies, 2 fistulectomies, and 8 urology cases.) There were 204 minor surgeries and 60 patients were fitted with prosthetics. The outpatient clinic attended 10,681 patients (1,405 pediatric, 271 OB-gyn, 801 dental and 3,000 optometry.) The rest were seen in the adult medicine clinic.
Sarangani2011
Being his home town, the mission was supported by no other than Congressman Manny Pacquiao. Around 120 volunteers served 7,301 patients and spanned the usual variety of services, both surgical and outpatient. Although there was initial concern about the location, lack of adequate facilities and security in the area, this did not hinder the course. With teamwork and dedication, this mission proved to be another success.