Family Journey

 

 

I am no longer drifting by myself. My wife and baby daughter have joined me in the journey...

My Wife

... you complete me ...

Leyte

This is Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Leyte.

What happens if there is no Doctor?

by Nezer A. Soriano

The Community Based Primary Health Care Program (CBPHCP) team of the United Methodist Church hiked its way to barangay Minaa in Ibajay, Aklan last October 2005. This village is located at the foot of Mt. Madia-as in Panay. It took us 2 days to travel to this barangay from Iloilo City, half day of bus ride to Ibajay town in Aklan and then 45 minute tricyle ride until Barangay Aparicio. From the jump-off point in Barangay Aparicio, we have to hike more than eight kilometers of different terrains before reaching the village. We have to do river trekking, crossing the river 8 times, walking along edges of cliffs, over big boulders, skin cutting grass blades and shrubs; all under the scorching heat of the sun.

“Why bother?”, some people ask. This effort is the response to the social responsibility of the church to its community. We all know the sorry state of the Philippine Health Situation, a state of stagnancy if not degradation. It is a classic depiction of any third world country in the world. We lack the facilities and instruments, outdated technical knowledge and know-how, take for granted the importance of proper sanitation and good health and render poor health service for a very expensive price. This is aggravated with the out flux of medical practitioners and allied services who seek greener pastures in other countries. These problems leave the burden to the few doctors left who could only do so much. What will happen if there are no more doctors?

These are the problems the Community Based Primary Health Care Program (CBPHCP) hopes to address. The few doctors and their partners could not attend to all the needs of the society especially in the suburbs and far-flung villages. Doctors couldn't afford to waste time walking 2 days just to visit the villagers. Same does to a villager with cough who dismisses it as a simple cold only to die later with pneumonia. If only there were people in his village who told him and assist him. If only there were people in his village trained in Primary Health Care.

After more than 3 hours of hiking, we reached the barangay of Minaa. The community is composed of 143 households excluding the children. Their main livelihood is bamboo and coconut farming. Most men of the village is up in the mountain farming. They have a barangay council with different committees to look over their needs. However, theirs is a community that still needs improvement in their basic needs especially in their health. Their community still needs education about proper health and sanitation.

Our team was eager to share the program with the people of Minaa. The people enthusiastically participated and attended the series of lectures about the importance of health to the individual, family and to the community as a whole. We also discussed how the problems in their community affects their health and vice versa. They also learned about the importance of health and sanitation in the environment. Most importantly they learned about common diseases like diarrhea, cough and fever.

Our visit was just the beginning of something beautiful to happen in Minaa. These and a series of upcoming lectures would hopefully empower their community to stand on their own even if there is no Doctor.

Wedding

Photo shoots done at ManilaBay.