Ground Zero Medical Outreach

Few people can imagine the difficulties suffered by minority Christians gridlocked in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, where traveling to the nearest hospital is always fraught with peril because armed rebels patrol the roads and the seas. One has to be there present to see the indescribable joy of the isolated Christians in receiving Rosaries and catechism tracts as they availed of the much-prayed-for medical services.
 Make me a channel of Thy peace... where's there's despair in life let me bring Hope...

Ground Zero Medical Outreach in Barangay Silangkan, Sulu

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Mission Locations of ACIM Asia (2007 - 2012)

Mission Locations of ACIM Asia (2007 - 2012)

November 24, 2011 - Medical Mission in the Marsh

The organizer and the locals

Floating houses of the marsh built on stilts.

Five hours drive from General Santos City and 30 minutes boat ride (speed boat running at 70kilometers per hour) is what it takes to reach this mission area. It was once an MILF infested area, where hostages of the most hostile kidnappings were recovered and houses were built on stilts about 3 meters above the water.

Our mode of transportation going to the
mission area.

The mission venue. Barangay captain's house
that also functions as  the barangay hall.

A small medical team from Department of Health ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) and ACIM Asia went for a medical civic action program initiated by the 11^th Special Force of the Philippine Army in Barangay Katamlangan, Sultan Kudarat last November 24, 2011. The barangay is discreetly located in a marsh Moslim community that is only reached through water transportation such as the boats/speed boats.   

Civil Affairs Team of US Army also joined the activity of the 11^th Special Force that is a special unit of Philippine Army who maintained the peace and order development in the area. It was held in the house of the barangay captain, which is also the hall of the barangay.

Patients coming into the mission site to
avail of the free medical services.

Assessment and Registration area.

Department of Health ARMM and ACIM Asia provided medical volunteers, and medicines that were used in the mission. There was only one doctor who served, but she managed to cater 150 medical patients, who paddled their way to avail of the free consultation, health assessment and medications.

Most of the patients are Moslems that were economically marginalized because they are torn by the consistent conflicts between the rebels and the army. They are also situated in a warzone area that is obviously cannot be accessed easily. Generally, a family’s source of income is through fishing, which is also a struggle because it is only the means of survival for almost everyone.

The medical doctor from the DOH,
side by side with the assessment team.

Patients waiting for their names to be
called in the pharmacy. 

This kind of situation places health care as their list priority, not only because it is difficult to be accessed topographically but also they don’t see its necessity. These also results to a high calibre kind of diseases and chief complaints they cannot express. Although there were less people who came, a day is not enough to address their needs.

The special force unit was planning to implement livelihood projects and various civic action programs for these communities, not only to neutralize the conflict but also to provide the people long term empowerment.

November 16, 2011 - A Hand in Hand Mission

The waiting line for the minor surgical.

A medical, dental civic action program was conducted last November 16, 2011 in Provincial Gym of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao, approximately 2 and a half hour travel by land from General Santos City. This event was initiated by the Bravo Company of 33^rd IB, Philippine Army in cooperation with other agencies both governmental and nongovernmental alike to serve the marginalized, conflict afflicted people of the province.

Soldier explains to the patient how she should
take her medicines.

Tremendous support was given by the Local Government unit of Datu Paglas province who provided the meals of the volunteers and logistical support team, while the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Maguindanao and Rural Health Unit of Datu Paglas provided the medical doctors, dentists, nurses, medical technicians, pharmacist and a mobile hospital. The Quijano Hospital from Tacurong and Sultan Kudarat Doctors Hospital provided additional nurses who manned the registration area, while the ACIM Asia had dentists served in the dental area along with the IPHO and military dental team, nurses and auxiliary people who manned the pharmacy.

ACIM Asia team was composed of three dentists, namely Dr. And Dra. Madrid along with their two assistants, Dra. Nisperos and her assistant, Alexandra – Swiss volunteer, Maricar, Sheryl, Aldy, and three other nurses - Mel, Adon, Lourdes.

33^rd IB ensured the safety of the volunteers, the smooth flow of the activities and made sure that all patient needs were catered. 

Medical patients were given some complimentary
 health kits while waiting for their turn to be
examined by medical doctors

The ACIM Asia team with 33rd IB, PA

At the end of the busy day, the team served about 800 medical patients, 195 dental patients, 165 patients were also circumcised while 11 undergone minor surgery. An evaluation was also made to conclude the activity, which was also an avenue for the mayor to recognize each partner agency who gave some comment about the activity.

 

February 01, 2011: Hail to Notre Dame!

ACIM Asia, for the second time around, joined the foundation anniversary of  Notre Dame of Tacurong College last February 01, 2011 in the Medical-Dental outreach which was part of their week-long Diamond Jubilee celebration (January 31 – February 05, 2011).

The event was impressively organized as they had pre-identified the indigent patients who were served properly according to their needs such as medical consultation, dental extraction, cyst removal and eye diseases consultation. Through the support of partner organizations - Sultan Kudarat Provincial Mobile Hospital, Tacurong City Health Office, Alumni of the college, 33^rd  Infantry Battalion and ACIM Asia, the NDTC Jubilee mission was able to serve 241 patients in medical consultation, 76 patients in dental extraction, 60 patients in ophthalmologic consultation, and 9 patients in cyst removal.

Working with the Philippine Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion has brought ACIM-Asia to this Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao missions.  It is a pleasure to be able to reach out in simple acts charity through medical, dental and surgical services.

We hope our presence and our services were able to encourage the community to strive for unity and progress based on Christian principles of justice and charity.  The theme of the jubilee was “NDTC: Excel Beyond Diamond Jubilee”.  We hope that the quest for excellence brings the people to the highest good:  GOD.  Way to go, Notre Dame of Tacurong!  May your education mission bring peace to Mindanao.

January 27, 2011: Smiley Express - A Mission Under Threat

January 26 was plainly a veterinary civil action program, which literally meant vaccinating and treating cows, carabaos, goats and other farm animals of the locals. That left the medical team free to board the US Navy vessel and travel ahead to the next mission area which would be served the following day.

January 27 was the day of the Smiley Express Mission.

The team number was reduced after 3 days on the road, but, as usual, the number of patients grew.  We were blessed to still have with us the strong 73^rd IB of Philippine Army, 11^th Mechanized Company, 1002^nd Brigade Military Ward and US Joint Special Operations Task Force Mindanao to cater to the growing number of patients.  Newly-elected honorable mayor Maulana of Palimbang accommodated the volunteers for the night. His hospitality was touching.  Apart from the tasty dinner and breakfast, he prepared a glorious display of fireworks to welcome the mission team!

Palimbang is a far-flung town in Sultan Kudarat, a 4-hour drive from General Santos City.  It lies just beyond the western border of Sarangani Province. It sits along the western coast of southern Mindanao, and is strategically positioned directly across Abu Sayyaf territories Basilan and Sulu, separated only by the beautiful waves of the Mindanao sea, where vessels of Abu Sayyaf militants and pirates freely roam.  The beautiful shores are mostly pristine and unexploited, as no tourist would bask in the largely unprotected coastline.

The municipality is the biggest in Sultan Kudarat, with 40 barangays. It is not readily accessible as constant armed conflict makes infrastructure development difficult to sustain. Because of inaccessiblity, health services are few and infrequent, so the locals are very keen and on the lookout for any free medical, dental, and minor surgical services.  

About 1,400 patients were registered for the day.

The medical team was composed of 1 local doctor from Municipality - Dr. Cruz; and 3 medics from US Army Joint Operations Special Task Force Mindanao (Civil Affairs Team and LCE) namely SSG Joshua Carroll, SSG Micha Van Wagner and SSG Edwin Torrescortes.

  The dental team was composed of Dr. Nelda Nisperos of ACIM Asia, Dr. Diono of Military Ward, and the Municipal Dentist.

The minor surgical team was composed of the 1002^nd brigade military ward personnel who were assisted by 2 Filipino volunteer nurses.

The pharmacy team were made up of 1 Filipino nurse, 2  French volunteers from ACIM-Asia and 2 Filipino Auxiliary.

A security threat, particularly of abduction, clouded the mission with foreboding.  We could not ignore the security threat so we had to shorten the working time but we pressed on to serve as many patients as we could, working full speed to maximize time and resources.  Despite the short working time, we were able to serve 712 medical patients, 149 dental patients, 36 circumcision patients and 10 surgical patients (cyst removal).

Bravo to the brave team!  None but the brave can voluntarily serve with a smile on an ominous day! God have mercy on the locals.  May they know God and peace in their days.

January 25, 2011: Building Bridges of Peace

This day’s mission was in Pananag, Maasim, Sarangani Province, about 1 hour drive westward from General Santos City.  The plan was to go farther up west along the shores of Mindanao sea in the next days. The team was composed of the 73^rd IB Philippine Army, the US Civil Affairs Team 734 and from the US Army Joint Special Operations Task Force Mindanao and Philippines, the Provincial Health Office of Maasim and ACIM Asia.

This day, Dr. Romeo Teves, the hospital administrator of Socsargen hospital, also a member of ACIM-Asia, replaced Dr. Emely Lagare at the consultation table. With him at the consultation area were Dr. Loot and the medics of the US Army Civil Affairs Team. Dr. Nelda Nisperos served in the dental services department, and was assisted by Thomas du Chalard.  Nurse Marie du Chalard manned the assessment area, while nurse Sheryl Ocampo, RN, Thierry Bianco and Elaine Salazar took charge of the pharmacy section.

SSG Micha Van Wagner examines a baby
during the medical c

Some 360 patients were served in medical consultation area, 102 patients were attended at the dental extraction department,43 patients served at the circumcision table and 2 were catered at the cyst removal area.

We hope that our simple health services will have built bridges with the community and planted some encouraging thoughts in the minds of local warriors to lay down their arms, live and labor with order, peace and moderation, and engage in rational and peaceful resolutions in case of conflicts.

January 24, 2011: The Peace Mission

Today we commenced the 4-day medical-dental-surgical mission in Sarangani Province, in cooperation with the 73^rd Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army, US Army Civil Affairs Team 734 and other teams from US Army Joint Special Operations Task Force Mindanao and the US Civil Affairs Team Philippines led by Lt. Col Edmund Oliveros.

The US Civil Affairs team came straight from Zamboanga and docked in Sarangani coast to lend their hands to the 4-day activity envisioned to promote sustainable peace and development in the area.

This day we were in Tinoto Elementary School along Sarangani Bay in Maasim town, about 40 minutes drive from General Santos City.

The spirit to serve was high. We were able to attend to 431 medical, 152 for dental patients, 40 circumcision patients and 2 cyst-removal patients. 

ACIM Asia was represented by 7 volunteers; namely: Dr. Emely Lagare 2 Filipino Nurses, 2 French, 1 Swiss and 1 Filipino Auxiliary who were appropriately stattioned in the medical area, pharmacy, and vital signs assessment area.  

The activity was supported by the Provincial Vice Governor's Office; the Provincial Health Office; and Pacquiao Foundation, which augmented the medicine supplies.

 The Head of Division of the Philippine Army was there, together with the Head of the US Army Joint Special Task Force for Mindanao, Major Philippe Brown, who personally expressed his appreciation for the support that ACIM Asia had been giving to the MEDCAP, and he verbalized that he was glad to work side by side with the ACIM-Asia volunteers.

It is our honor to be able to contribute to peace-building in Mindanao.  It would be our joy to eventually help the war-torn communities to reach out to the loving and peaceful God.  Peace, brothers... May the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all! 

January 17-21, 2011: Grand Homecoming of the Noble Hearts

Per request of the Provincial Vice Governor of Sarangani, ACIM-Asia assisted in the organization and the conduct of the grand medical-surgical mission of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSCN).

We helped find sponsors for the food of the volunteers and fortunately found a firm support from the Director of the Student Affairs of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, who agreed to sponsor a snack for 200 volunteers.

The medical – surgical mission was held in Sarangani Province Capitol last January 17-21, 2011, serving almost 3,000 patients who availed free surgery and medical treatment. Major surgeries were done at Socsargen County Hospital, while minor surgeries and medical consultation were conducted in the Capitol Grounds of Sarangani.

Majority of the medical volunteers came from northern California.  Most of them were Filipinos who came especially to serve their fellow Filipinos for free.

Two members from ACIM-Asia came to lend a hand in the minor surgery and the dental extractions.

A grand dinner waited for us at the last night of the mission.  The Swiss volunteer Thiery Bianco was so excited to have the autograph of the great Manny Pacquiao, who hosted the thanksgiving dinner.  It was a grand night, capping a grand mission.  Next year, the PMSCN will be in Mindoro, in central Philippines.

December 13-14, 2010 Midconding, Maguindanao Mission

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November 19, 2010 - Campaign Against RH Bill

Brgy. Ticulab, Maitum, Sarangani Province:

Lt.Valenzuela, organizer of the mission,
signed up against RH Bill

one signature makes a difference

The Philippine Army 73^rd IB organized another medical civil action program for the residents of Barangay Ticulab, Maitum, Sarangani Province, in cooperation with other LGU’s and NGO’s.

Barangay Ticulab, a 2-hour drive from General Santos City, was one of the areas that were attacked by the MILF last 2008.  During the war, a number of residents were lured to the hideouts of the rebels, thinking they could hide in safety among friends, but realized their error of judgment when they were used as hostages. Eventually those hostages were released, and serenity restored. Peace was still in place as we came to conduct the medical mission.

The team served 217  medical patients, 37 dental patients, and 26 circumcision cases. Also a feeding program was provided among the malnourished children of the said Barangay.

We assisted in the minor surgeries.  The team served 217  medical patients, 37 dental patients, and 26 circumcision cases. Also a feeding program was provided among the malnourished children of the said Barangay.

With the ongoing international pressure on the Philippine government to pass the Reproductive Health Bill, we decided to spare precious time to conduct a signature campaign among the residents to stop the passage of RH Bill.  We gave a lecture on the moral and scientific dangers related to the provisions of the RH Program in the bill. We hoped to prepare the grassroots to resist the execution of an immoral law, in the instance that the bill would be passed into law.  Naturally, we met people who refused to sign the petition against the bill, but we encountered many who listened, argued, and decided to support our campaign.

Young minds and hearts hearing the word of God

We also conducted a Catechism class with a role play for the children.  We distributed rosaries and bioethics pamphlets among the residents.

November 8, 2010 - Poblacion, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat

Due to the recent outbreak of Filariasis among the residents of Palimbang, a medical civic action program was organized to address such problem. Filariasis screening was conducted and 13 out of 30 tested positive for the disease.  Free medicines were given to those who tested positive.  A second phase of treatment will follow to stop the outbreak.

ACIM Asia was one of the partners of this particular MedCAP which served 931 medical patients, 68 dental patients, 110 circumcision clients, and 40 cyst-removal patients.  Seventy-five children were given supplementary high-nutrition feeding.  


Health teaching on dengue fever was also conducted simultaneously. 

November 4, 2010 - Tinumigues, Sadsalan, Madanding, Udtong, and Sigayann of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat

Red Cross volunteers conducting health assessments

For almost a month now, a number of barangays in the Municipality of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat had been submerged in water from the overflowing Allah River.  One of the dikes that divert the water away from the residential areas had broken down. Most of the communities suffered water up to the chest level, which made it almost impossible for land transportation to reach the communities.   Community boats became the mode of transportation for the local residents.

US ARMY CAT 734 Medic, SSG Edwin Torrescortes
assessing a pediatric patient.

A medical mission was organized by the 33rd IB of Philippine army, in partnership with LGUs and NGOs, to assist the flooded communities in the Municipality of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat namely: Barangays Tinumigues, Udtong, Sigayan, Sadsalan and Madanding to address the proliferation of water-borne diseases.

Health Education on the prevention of Dengue Fever

The team was divided into four groups to serve the barangays simultaneously, ACIM Asia along with the Red Cross- Tacurong chapter was assigned at barangay Tinumigues serving about 296 patients. 


The Sadsalan team served 232 patients, Madanding team served 281 patients and Udtong and Sigayan teams served 285 patients.

School supplies, used clothing and relief goods were also distributed among the affected families, alongside the medical missions.

October 16, 2010 - Datal Bukay, Glan, Sarangani Province

Here we are again on a medical mission organized by the 73^rd IB of the Philippine Army.
____________________________________


We went off to serve the indigent tribal families in the hinterlands of Datal Bukay, Glan, Sarangani Province.  It was a 2-hour drive from Glan town proper.

 We embarked on a four-wheel-drive truck then went forward, bouncing along the very rocky roads, crossing rocky rivers, bumpy and muddy creeks, and traversing steep and rugged mountain sides.  

ACIM Asia team was composed of 9 volunteers: 2 French, 1 Swiss, 5 Filipino Nurses, 1 Filipino Aide, and a  local doctor from Glan who confirmed his participation at the very last minute. 


The lone doctor labored with complete devotion and managed to serve 330 medical patients at the end of the day.  The dental team served 120 patients and  the circumcision team attended 55 patients. 

While the health mission was going on, a     

peace advocacy campaign was conducted by Kapatid Kapayapaan Council to promote peace awareness among the local residents.

As we traversed our way back to the city, we  solemnly wondered at the experience we just had. Behind the mountains and beyond the river lies a village of humans longing for medical services which were beyond their reach.  What a profound wonder we felt, like we had been some kind of Columbuses who navigated oceans to see a world beyond our consciousness, seeing  people like us who had needs like ours, which we were able to humbly serve.  Some time in your life have you ever felt like a little hero? Well, that's how we felt that day.

And do you know how it felt to see the joys of the villagers in receiving rosary beads?  We felt like we were some kind of St. Francis Xavier.  


But of course, we were just feeling dramatic.  Some more heroic missionaries had served the village before.  How else could the people have known how to pray the rosary before we came? In each of the few houses that we had visited we had seen a simple picture of the Sacred Heart.  So really, it wasn't as if we planted the first Cross in that remote village.  A humbling experience, indeed.  Someone else was more heroic, who traversed the rivers and the slopes BEFORE four-wheel drive trucks were invented!  Cheers to the first missionaries.  God bless and keep their souls.