April 18, 2024
A legacy of compassion: Sharing the mission of Tzu Chi Foundation through the 262nd medical mission
By Dorothy Castro
During Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines’ 262nd medical mission from April 4 to 6 at Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, doctors from different specialties offered their skills and time volunteering to assess and treat patients free of charge. Among them were volunteer doctors who have been with Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) for years, while some counted this medical mission as their first.
Dr. Rose Go, a pediatrician from the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, has worked with Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines as a volunteer doctor since she graduated in 1996. Even during her residency, she has expressed her desire to be of service to communities after learning about Tzu Chi’s medical initiatives through her husband, Dr. Earl Go.
When Dr. Rose graduated, she was immediately recruited by Dr. Josefino “Jo” Qua. “When I was a resident, I saw my husband already helping in organizing medical missions with Dr. Jo Qua,” Dr. Rose shared.
Learning about Tzu Chi’s medical missions touched Dr. Rose’s heart. “As a doctor, you really have the heart to help. It is better to help together as a group than just by yourself, right? When you add it up, it will create a big help to our people here in the Philippines.”
Driven by the love for helping patients, Dr. Rose already participated in numerous medical missions. Describing the medical mission in Sultan Kudarat in relation to her experiences, she found joy in the process. “I am very happy because the spirit of helping, camaraderie, and compassion is there, just like before,” Dr. Rose said enthusiastically.
Dr. Rose not only volunteered in the medical mission, but also encouraged her fellow doctors to do the same. With her were two pediatricians who recently completed their studies and joined in the medical mission for the first time.
For pediatrician Dr. Catherine Uy Cano, this medical mission was not her first time with Tzu Chi Foundation, but it is her first experience participating as a doctor. Before joining medical school, she was already a part of Tzu Chi Foundation as a member of Tzu Chi Youth. “We helped in doing the recycling, going from house to house to collect recyclables. We visited orphanages and went to age care facilities to help,” Dr. Catherine enumerated.
Dr. Catherine also had the opportunity to join Tzu Chi Brisbane, where she participated in their medical mission as a volunteer.
From her experience, she’s still getting used to the process of volunteering as a doctor but felt reassured with the guidance of their consultants. Furthermore, she expressed her joy in volunteering, as well as its meaningful experience in helping others. “We are thankful that a lot of us are willing to volunteer to help without expecting anything in return. It is really an opportunity to be able to help. And that alone is enough to grant us genuine happiness,” she said.
A pediatrics resident from Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, Dr. Bleisha Jessica de Peralta is also a first-time volunteer doctor with Tzu Chi. Learning about the medical mission through Dr. Rose Go, she mentioned her appreciation and gratitude for Tzu Chi Foundation’s help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Dr. Bleisha, the medical mission was close to her heart as Sultan Kudarat is her home. “I am grateful that I was included to be a part of this medical mission. Thank you for choosing Sultan Kudarat for this medical mission. Thank you for helping my community, I will really make it a point to join the next medical missions,” she said.
In encouraging future volunteer doctors, Dr. Bleisha emphasized the calling to be of help to one’s community. “As doctors, we should help other people. This medical mission is our way of doing that since this is free of charge for the patients. We give our full hearts during this medical mission, and this experience is really fulfilling,” she said.
For Dr. Rose, encouraging new doctors to participate in Tzu Chi Foundation’s medical mission is her way of continuing the legacy of helping people in need. She joyfully recounted the participation of doctors in the medical mission, and how the group included not only her colleagues, but also newcomers. “I’m very happy because of course we would like to leave this legacy. I’m trying to pull a lot of responsible and compassionate pediatricians so that our path will be stronger, and it will be carried on,” she added.
Tzu Chi volunteers and volunteer doctors joyfully gather and motivate one another before starting the medical mission.【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A Tzu Chi volunteer carefully arranges the doctors’ medical kits before the start of the medical mission. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Tzu Chi volunteer doctors pray before the start of the medical mission. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Dr. Jose Ramon “Chito” Guzman poses for a photo before the start of the medical mission. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
A young patient with her guardian consults the Tzu Chi volunteer doctor. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Dr. Bleisha Jessica de Peralta (right) helps a patient with her medical concerns. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Dr. Rose Go (left) works with a fellow doctor in assessing patients. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Dr. Rose Go (seated, in white) assesses patients during the medical mission. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Dr. Catherine Uy Cano joyfully takes a photo with one of the patients. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Before she was a doctor, Catherine Uy Cano (second from right), was a part of Tzu Chi Youth 13 years ago. 【Photo courtesy of Dr. Catherine Uy Cano 】
A volunteer dentist carefully conducts a tooth extraction on a patient. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A volunteer dentist extracts a patient’s tooth. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】