Mu Sigma Phi Sorority, Inc.

(Left) Dra. Regina Berba and Kgd. Benny Sailog with a participant of Tutok GaMUtan. (Right) A revitalized team of barangay health workers in Calawis is but one of the results of the project.

Nine months. Eleven success stories. One goal.

After nine months of treatment, the 11 participants of Tutok GaMUtan who finished this intensive therapeutic and educational program on tuberculosis (TB) were presented to Barangay Calawis in Antipolo in a ceremony last August 1.

Tutok GaMUtan was conceptualized last year after Alberto and Baby Malvar of Calawis requested the help of the Sorority because of unexplained deaths in the area thought to be due to TB. With Dra. Regina Berba (μΣΦ 1987) leading the Sorority’s response to this problem, Brgy. Calawis was visited and surveyed, and on May 13, 2008, a medical mission was held to screen for individuals possibly infected with TB. Out of the 180 patients, 54 adult patients were further tested, 14 of which turned out to be positive for the disease. Unfortunately, 3 of them were already in the advanced course of TB and died before the supply of medications could be completed and the treatment program started.

Once it was set into motion, there was no turning back.

With the support of the reinvigorated team of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) led by Ms. Liza Masaquel, a midwife; Kapitan Doroteo, the barangay captain; the UP-PGH TB laboratory; and the United Laboratories and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, as well as the discipline and compliance of the 11 patients, Brgy. Calawis had proven that indeed, the fight against TB can be won.

The simple graduation ceremony was started with a prayer from Ces del Rosario (μΣΦ 2013), after which Kagawad Benny Sailog gave his opening remarks. The BHWs were then recognized for the pivotal roles they played in this triumph, and finally, each of the 11 enrollees, all of them now completely, were awarded certificates and congratulated. In their behalf, Ms. Leonida Pendaña, spoke words of gratitude and shared how her life has changed since last year. Closing remarks were given by Patricia Cielo ((μΣΦ 2012), Mu’s current Service Committee Chairperson.

But what truly underscored Tutok GaMUtan’s achievement was not in the number of patients nor in the success of cure rates, but the long-term benefits that could be derived from the teachings and discussions with the people and their local government.