Church taps Catholic US medical team for help

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines (UCAN) – Doctors and nurses from the United States have treated nearly 800 patients at a medical mission set up through this northern Philippines vicariate.

Father Andy Lubi of Calapan apostolic vicariate in Mindoro province planned the mission when he visited Doctor Ninfa Medina-Saunders last year in New Jersey where she has lived for 20 years.

Saunders is now vice president for health services of Virtua, South Jersey’s largest healthcare system, engaging some 2,000 doctors and 8,500 medical personnel from five member hospitals.

In the Philippine province where Saunders grew up, members of the Feb. 1-4 mission checked out and treated 776 patients, including 60 indigenous Mangyan people, Church workers, priests and nuns.

Many of them are indigents, Father Andy Lubi told UCA News Feb. 8. He said participating doctors of the Virtua Foundation reported cases of heart and thyroid problems, rheumatism, diabetes, tuberculosis, cysts and cancers.

The government’s latest census report shows the number of poor people in Mindoro Oriental increased to 55.1 percent in 2006 from 48.9 in 2000.

Volunteer surgeons performed more than 10 major operations at the MMG cooperative provincial hospital owned by Mindoro Medical Society and arranged for follow-up care of surgery patients.

The Church “will work with our local partner MMG” with follow up and biopsy procedures for suspected cancer cases, Father Lubi said.

Twelve doctors, 12 nurses and seven support staff came to Mindoro on Saunders’ invitation.

Father Lubi said the group intends to return in 2012, but also wants to help contribute to continued health care, especially for poor people in the province.

It donated anesthesia machines to the vicariate. The priest said the Church plans to collaborate with MMG in organizing a continuing medical mission.

PL08769.1588 February 9, 2010 30 EM-lines (284 words)

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