PHCAA spearheads Medical Mission to Caluya Island

Antique, Philippines. April 23, 2009. Under the able leadership of PHCAA Managing Director Ella Magallanes Martirez, several members of The Philippine Health Care Association of Australia ventured into the little-known island of Caluya, a 4^th class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. Their mission was to deliver medical consultations, medical supplies, dental extractions, minor surgical operations, and other health care services. Everything was provided free to the isolated island of Caluya that had a very small population of only 20,049,

There is no hospital in the island which has only 1 doctor, 2 nurses and 4 midwives servicing the needs of the residents. One can just imagine the number of hours sick people have to wait to be diagnosed.

To reach Caluya, the PHCAA medical team had to take a 6-hour bus ride and another 4-hour boat trip. PHCAA Project Coordinator Nelma Galas said that it was a very tiring experience. But Nelma added: “the PHCAA team derived satisfaction in seeing the happy faces of people who benefited from the services and medical supplies provided.”

During the 3-day medical mission, the team of 14 volunteers provided a total of 1,294 medical consultations, 361 dental extractions, 151 minor surgical operations (mostly excisions), and 52 PAPs Smear. On the last day, they conducted a health education seminar to 30 residents.

The health education seminar which was attended mostly by Barangay Health Workers covered First Aid, Basic Life Support, and Obstetric Emergency Procedures.

Medical and surgical supplies used during the medical mission amounted to over AUD 4,000.

This early, PHCAA is already planning a second medical mission next year to Caluya Island to include Ophthalmological and major surgical services. Part of the plan is to assist the municipality in the construction of a much-needed hospital. – ?