by Benjie de Ubago
Philippine Australian Medical Association (PAMA) once again rose to the occasion and were quick to respond to the call for help of medical workers in the Philippines. With the corona virus spreading like bushfires, PAMA donated to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for masks and protective gear for the medical staff fighting the corona virus pandemic.
PAMA had completed at the end of February their annual 13th medical mission in Buguias, Benguet, Cordillera in the Philippines, just when the virus was starting to make news. “There is a lack of masks and protective gear for the doctors and nurses in the Philippines and we felt the need to help however we could.” said Dr. Roger Fabian, PAMA President.
The medical mission saw PAMA’s team of doctors and nurses service a total of 1,644 patients (919 medical cases, 177 surgeries, 32 major surgeries and 516 dental cases) in the poverty stricken area. The mission was conducted in coordination with Ugnayan ng Panhinungod, BSU & Community Multipurpose Cooperative with the support of Western Imaging Group and Western Union.
The Philippine health system is struggling with the demand in this current corona virus global pandemic. Health workers are working under dire conditions exposing themselves to the deadly virus. Despite government imposed curfews and lockdowns, statistics have been steadily climbing. As of March 31, 2020, 1,546 have tested positive; 78 deaths have been recorded; and there have been 42 recoveries.
According to Dr. Oscar Tinio of the Philippine Medical Association, 17 Filipino doctors have lost their lives already on the frontlines battling the disease and include: Dr. Israel Bactol (cardiologist, Phil Heart Center), Dr. Rose Pulido (oncologist, San Juan de Dios Hospital), Dr. Gregorio Macasaet III (anesthesiologist, Manila Doctors Hospital), Dr. Raul Jara (cardiologist, Phil Heart Centre), Dr. Henry Fernando (Pangasinan Medical Society), Dr. Marcelo Jauchico (Pampanga Provincial Health Officer), Dr. Raquel Seva (obstetrician-gynecologist, Evangelista Specialty Hospital, San Pedro, Laguna), Dr. Hector Alvarez (Novaliches District Hospital), Dr. Sally Gathchalian (Phil Pediatric Society), Dr. Francisco Lukban (geriatric cardiologist, UP/PGH), and husband and wife team, Dr. Dennis Ramon Tudtud (oncologist), Dr. Jun Resurrection (Pediatrician, PGH), and Dr. Helen Tudtud (pathologist, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center). The other doctors’ names have yet to be released.
Handog Pinoy and Aguman Capampangan of Australia have joined PAMA in the humanitarian initiative and have also made their respective contributions.
