March 11, 2026
Tzu Chi holds 287th medical mission at Correctional Institute for Women
By Joy Rojas
Since 1995, Tzu Chi Foundation has organized medical missions all across the Philippines, from its first in Baguio City over 30 years ago to 2025’s three-day outreach in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Its 287th medical mission on March 8 is the closest to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila. It’s also a first for Tzu Chi volunteers, whose missions target patients from far-flung and disadvantaged communities.
Located less than five kilometers away from BTCC, the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW), a facility for female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in Mandaluyong City, welcomed Tzu Chi volunteers for a day of consults in general medicine, dental medicine, ophthalmology, and obstetrics and gynecology conducted by volunteer doctors of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA).
The event coincided with International Women’s Day, an annual global celebration of women’s achievements in various fields, and a platform for advocating women’s rights.
Access to quality healthcare is essential to a community of 3,000 female residents who rely on the limited services of CIW’s infirmary, says Melanie Mapili, a Tzu Chi volunteer since 2019. At CIW, she’s part of its finance staff and is deputy chief of PDL Crafts and Display Center.
Mapili pushed in particular for obstetrics and gynecology, women’s reproductive health concerns availed of by 164 PDL. Others took advantage of the free consults and treatments in ophthalmology (476), dental medicine (188), and general medicine (417). Referrals were made for cataract (35), ears-nose-and-throat (1), and surgery (1).
Free medicines and supplements were also dispensed to PDL with prescriptions issued by TIMA doctors.
Multiple extractions, including the extraction of the wisdom tooth, and a suturing kept dentist Dr. Mylene G. de Jesus busy all morning, while internal medicine specialist Dr. Emerito Cruz saw patients for their respiratory ailments, diabetes, hypertension, and rashes in the groin area.
The doctors, who volunteered for Tzu Chi’s previous medical missions (Dr. de Jesus in Navotas and Zamboanga, Dr. Cruz in Leyte and Zamboanga) had never treated residents at a correctional facility before. Both describe it as an eye-opening experience that made them appreciate the freedom they often take for granted, and grateful for the chance to help a sector that is oftentimes shunned by society.
“It’s very humbling to meet these different people from all walks of life,” said Dr. Cruz, who also renders his services at Tzu Chi’s free clinic in BTCC. “I felt sad and sorry for the older PDL who haven’t received visitors in a long time because their families live far away.”
Not knowing what to expect once she was inside the CIW, Dr. de Jesus was surprised to discover how its women residents were no different from the health specialists attending to them.
“They’re everyday people like us, and I ended up having normal conversations with them,” she said.
The medical mission was a revelation as well for the PDL, who didn’t know what to make of the strangers in blue and white uniform from the Buddhist humanitarian organization. Impressed by the single-file entrance of volunteers, the female residents listened intently to stories about the history of Tzu Chi and its founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen.
“They also liked the Tzu Chi song ‘One Family,’” said Mapili. “They requested for a copy of the music and want to learn how to sign it.”
What was meant as a day to extend healthcare to the residents of a correctional facility also became an opportunity for all to treat each other with kindness, compassion, and respect.
On March 8, Tzu Chi volunteers held their 287th medical mission in the Correctional Institute for Women, a facility for female Persons Deprived of Liberty, in Mandaluyong City.
Volunteer doctors from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) conducted consultations and treatments in general medicine, ophthalmology, dental medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology.
Tzu Chi volunteers enter the CIW compound in single file.
One of 417 PDL avails of a consultation at the medical mission’s general medicine section.
A below-the-knee amputee shows her residual limb to a doctor.
Four hundred seventy-six PDL took advantage of a consult with ophthalmologists, and many received free reading glasses.
A doctor helps a PDL patient find the right pair of reading glasses.
Tzu Chi’s medical mission offered obstetrics and gynecology. This gave PDL a chance to have their female reproductive health concerns addressed by a proper specialist.
Multiple extractions were performed at the dental medicine area.
Vital signs like blood pressure and body temperature are taken before a consult.
Free medicines and supplements were given to PDL who were issued prescriptions by doctors.
Pamphlets of Jing Si aphorisms were distributed to PDL during the consultations.
Corrections Technical Senior Inspector Kristine B Cenal, DMD (left), poses with fellow dentist, J. Randulf Yu Aves, DMD.
While waiting for their turn with the doctors, PDL listen to a volunteer explain the history of Tzu Chi and its founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen.
A portrait of Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen greets PDL at the entrance of the medical mission.
It was a long and busy day, but Tzu Chi volunteers are always happy to serve.