As a nurse student I have done medical missions because it was required of me but this year I did get to volunteer for my first medical mission somewhere in Cagay Sibonga.Sibonga is at the south of Cebu a two hour trip by private vehicle.
In the medical mission we did the normal triage. In common language, it means we cull patients as to their ailment after taking their vital sign. In this particular medical mission we had two consultants ,25 doctor interns, nurses photographers ,newspaper columnist and military men .
It's strange that for place like this in Cebu we would need military to ascertain our security. I know it's far flung but I couldn't imagine it to be unsafe. Anyhow we did get home in our four limbs so kudos to them just the same.
Like all medical mission they were check up and given over the counter medicine and snacks. As much as I am happy that they had this opportunity I can only wish that there will be more accessible hospitals and better healthcare for everyone.I noticed that many of them had pulmonary diseases that could have been treated early on. As a nurse my heart just breaks that they had to suffer such predicament
As a taxpayer, I can't help ask where did my tax go if this is the case? In my country, chunk of the national budget goes to national defense .Sure terrorism exist everywhere but if people are content with their government why the need to disturb it's peace and order right? I don't think we post as a threat to any country either being devoid of nukes so in a way this is something I am still puzzled about.
In medical mission like this it is important to educate people as prevention is always better tha cure as we all know. People had to learn how to utilize the healing power of food items I have blogged about often here. Moreover ,they have to be made socially responsible responsible not to spread curable disease like TB. I noticed people are ashamed to get the necessary treatment even it's for free at our health centers for fear of being ostracised.
Anyhow I will have to say though I was tired from this event I am grateful to be given such a chance to serve the less my countrymen. Because by the service I gave them no matter how small I feel I have paid back people who had come to my aid when I had surgeries last year. This experience had opened my eyes how blessed I am to have medical coverage from work and to be educated as a healthcare worker. Because as the movie GI Joe's says it's best knowing is half the battle.
I wonder if telling them they had serious medical condition that need urgent attention would do them well considering how exorbitant laboratory test are. So in medical mission like this if your soul don't tear a bit I guess you have been desensitised by life atrocities and honestly to me it's worst than having an illness you'd just have to deal with as much as you best can