A Survey of Blindness in 2001 determined that 62 percent of all blindness in the Philippines is caused by cataracts, placing this condition as one of the immediate health concerns in the country since it is reversible & treatable. Blindness due to cataract in both eyes afflicts 400,000 Filipinos and this cataract backlog is multiplied by 6 (2.4 million) if less severe degrees of blindness (e.g.: one eye affected) are considered. As there is no unemployment benefits - no work, no pay, the whole family may suffer tremendous hardships.
According to Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Juan Flavier, Pia Cayetano and Luisa "Loi" Estrada, the healthcare system in the country is about to collapse because more than one half of the country’s health practitioners are now working abroad. The senators filed the resolution asking for an inquiry. They said that, there is now one doctor for every 28, 493 citizens in the country. Most of the doctors and nurses now abroad were from the rural areas. This sad situation plus the high cost of medicines must be causing untold difficulties among rural residents and poverty stricken communities. Many of them die without medical treatment and medication.
With these facts in mind, I was inspired when a Filipina woman was offered the free services of a visiting German doctor to examine her eyes with a view to treatment. The woman was aged 55 yrs blind from the age of 5 yrs, married with two kids. On being examined one day she was able to have successful cataract (ECCE) treatment the following day and saw her husband and two children for the first time.
Being a mobile clinic it can be strategically placed anywhere on the Island of Mindanao to assist with post-disaster care of people injured in the bomb blasts, mining accidents and landslides in providing medical assistance to the effected patients. Especially in the areas of sight impairment, follow-up of patients with serious burns, hearing impairment and orthopaedic corrective surgery.
All of these patients, being initially treated in hospital would be able to receive medical care delivered to them by the mobile clinic. Minor injuries could be treated at the site.
The mobile clinic would coordinate with the Local Government Dept of Health.
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Regards - Peter Damarell
