In an effort to serve as many people as possible, the medical team - composed of 21 brods, 15 sisses and 8 dentists from the Fil-Chi Dental Association - opted to split into two groups, Team Naujan and Team Roxas. Team Naujan was able to cater to 323 patients whose cases ranged from simple cough, colds, and eye problems, to advanced cases of heart diseases and possible cancers; while the Team Roxas, who was also assigned to a prison, was able to attend to 157 dental cases and 251 medical issues whose bulk were composed of ear and endocrine problems, skin complaints, and hypertension.

Recognizing that an inherent weakness of medical missions is the lack of follow-up on its patients, Public Health Lectures (PHLs) on Proper Hand Washing, Oral Health Care and Rational Drug Use were also carried out. Coupled with the advice these patients directly acquired from their physicians, a sense of sustainability, even through basic knowledge on how to avoid diseases and promote their general health and well-being were aptly provided. In a tiring but very worthwhile day, the doctors from Manila were able to make a difference in the lives of 731 Mindoro residents and their respective families.

Service, being one of the Pillars of Mu Sigma Phi, was given justice in the light of making a positive change in society. Carrying out medical missions is one the venues where the Fraternity is able to shout this battlecry directed towards the underserved. For while it is true that medicine is a self-denying profession, with its goal of curing people out of their physiological maladies thus destroying the very reason for its existence, in the real world, one has to have the means to attain good health.

In medical missions, these economic and social barriers are absent; no money involved, no expensive tests that would hamper the basic survival needs of their families, and no doctors in their commanding white blazers, but doctors connecting with their patients, equipped only with their knowledge, wisdom and experience borne out of blood, sweat and tears training in the country’s premiere medical institution, and the will and passion to help make other people’s lives better.

It is true that not all of the patients who walked in sites were met with the best care logistically, but it is certain that each patient was given the best attention available. In medicine, the reality is that one could not expect to cure all diseases. Surprisingly though, despite the bad news, one would see a huge yoke lifted from the patient’s emotional burdens, for at that moment, even just listening to the patient’s problems means a whole world of difference.

Meanwhile, it could not be denied that reaching out is a pain, but it is the sort of ache Mu doctors would willingly submit themselves, taking pride in the fact that we are giving comfort to a fellow human being. Service may sometimes be an impractical and costly endeavor. Majority of the people who have the means to help out would rather remain stagnant in their comfort zones while their fellowmen struggle to survive everyday.

The three-day Mindoro medical mission, consisting two days' worth of traversing the rugged and mountainous landscape, and nervously cruising the uncertain tides may be seen as a grand waste of time and effort, but wherever the Mu doctor is needed, that is where he shall be, amidst all the hardships and sacrifices.  

The 8th Mindoro Health Mission was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Bearer of the Staff Marvin Masalunga MΣΦ 2014, Health Missions Chair Johnnel Pahila MΣΦ 2015, former UP Manila Vice-Chair for Administrative Affairs Brod Dr. Orlino Talens MΣΦ 1969, local NGOs through Mr. Dennis Reyes of the Gawin ang Tama Movement, Inc., and Hon. Alfonso Cusi of Sandugo, the Fil-Chi Dental Association team headed by Miss Marian Manuel, and the nursing aides from Paradigm Colleges of Science and Technology.

The entire Mindoro medical team during fellowship night

The 8th MU Mindoro Medical Mission is part of the Fraternity's and Sorority's celebrations of Service Month this November 2011. See the line-up of our Service Month activities here.

Photos from Berbi Berba MΣΦ 2015