AMA Tulong Extends to Cainta, Marikina & Pasig

Nature has its way of showing force but man likewise has his way of countering it.

One of the hard hit areas by typhoon “Ondoy” was Pasig City. That is why on October 6, 2009 the St. Augustine Schools of Nursing Medical Mission teams quickly packed their bags and trooped to the ULTRA to conduct relief medical operations for the residents of barangays in the Kabayanan area of Pasig City.

A team of 7 volunteer doctors, 5 nurses and 20 students coming from the campuses of School Directors Romy Hipolito and Kiko Luna were under control as they rendered free medical services to residents of Pasig City.

On October 9, a two-pronged mission was conducted. One mission was underway in Barangay Mapandan in Cainta, Rizal orchestrated by the SASN teams of School Directors Noel Geda, Helen Frias and yours truly while another one reeled off in Nangka Resettlement Area in Marikina City this time with the medical teams of SASN Mandaluyong and ASM East Rizal under the directorship of Ged Barredo and Efren Temblique respectively.

Each medical mission team usually carries a team of 5 doctors, 4 nurses and 10 students depending on the estimated number of individuals in a mission site.

The picture in all sites was common but it was not perfect. Hundreds of residents nursing different types of ailments fell in line to seek medical consultation and advice. All the members of the medical teams were heads down most of the time writing prescriptions, taking vital signs and registering patients. Things have to be done fast given the objective of treating all patients at the soonest possible time.

Medical mission sites in Pasig and Cainta were ably covered by GMA Network 7 via its morning show, “Unang Hirit”.

The localities covered by the medical missions involved areas harshly affected by the wingspan of “Ondoy”. People lost homes, furniture and other personal belongings. Some even loved ones but the true spirit of the Filipino people will live on. The resilient character of the Pinoy, the helpfulness and caring attitude in him. The habit of saying thank you. The warm beams in their faces even in times of crisis. All these will surely take all of us to higher places.