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9)
10)
Deprivation of our poorest of the poor to avail of what little medical and surgical
services they can get from these missions.
Potential loss of a minimum $14,250,000 annual injection to our country's economy.
Loss of Tourism from Medical Mission Groups,
Loss of Potential Incoming investments from members of the medical mission groups.
We cannot ignore the medical/surgical needs of our poor that remain without remedy in the
absence of personnel and budget to address them in the government sector. The Charity
Organizations, Churches, NGOs and Private Sectors have attempted to fill this need.
Conducting medical/surgical missions to the Philippines from foreign countries, the US
included, has become a literal rejection process, the general message being: We don't want you
here.
In the meantime the 20-25% of Filipinos do not get any medical/ surgical attention of any kind.
What quasi-medical cares they get are from unlicensed, unregulated arbularios, whose
treatments and remedies are untested and unregulated anyway. Yet those who are willing and
able to deliver what little they can must go through stringent, utterly discouraging regulations.
The problems arising from the medical/surgical missions pointed to, mostly by our local
physicians and physician-groups are likewise realities that must be addressed.
A Proposal and A Dream:
We can potentially work together to address issues raised by both sides. After all we all want to
achieve the same goals:
1)
Definition and identification of sites of need with DOH, DLG-Governors and Mayors,
DPSW throughout the Philippines and develop a centralized listing of these specific
areas with as much specific population, housing, household income, prevailing health
problems, etc., information as possible. Make a Comprehensive list of these sites, which
may even, be further classified into Class I, II, III etc., according to severity. DOH and
local Governments may already have this information.
2)
3)
Develop a centralized registry for Foreign Medical/ Surgical Missions which should be
matched with identified sites of need and connected with specific local organization
they must work with. Set and mark mutually agreed dates, defined goals and future
planning. All Medical/ Surgical Missions MUST go through this registry.
4)
5)
Streamline the application process for Medical Mission groups through the Philippine
Embassies working with DOH, PRC, DOT, DFA, DLG, DF and Customs to facilitate such
medical missions. The Licensure requirements, fees details can be further discussed and
can be made just, realistic and encouraging, NOT prohibitive.
6)
7)
8)
Every 3-5 years most hospitals in the US upgrade their supplies and equipment. The
"old ones", still very much usable, are often simply warehoused or junked. If a receiving
system can be organized in the Philippines, a coordinated effort by Ex-pats, many of
whom are active staff in these hospitals, can be initiated to obtain these equipment and
supplies.
Community and provincial hospitals can be assessed for needs and supplies distributed
by priority as they come.
Both sides can agree to realistic requirements and operations that would fulfill mutual
goals.
9)
10)
If properly coordinated and developed, select sites can even be made into year-round mission
venues providing med mission teams 52 weeks a year, providing a year round presence and
continuity of care. These sites can become a hub for certain regions. If organized and develop
well, medical mission teams can even come from US Universities and world renown medical
centers whose medical and surgical staff have expressed interest in taking part in such
programs. Professors, staff from the Mayo Clinic, George Washington University, University of
Virginia, Eastern VA Medical Center, Department of ENT-HNS, VCU-Medical College of VA,
Johns Hopkins, University of Kansas and other world renown institutions have expressed keen
interest in doing medical and surgical missions one or two weeks at a time in the proper
setting.
Foundations can be tapped for support and help. Several Foundations have limited themselves
to health programs worldwide. Possibilities and potentials can be tremendous. Public Health
programs and training for local young physicians can be developed. With partnerships with
US University public health schools, templates can be developed in the Philippines and
duplicated elsewhere in the world.
Lofty dreams? But realistically, the components and building blocks are all there, ready to
be mobilized and organized. If we all decide to work together, it can be done.
God Bless!