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THE DOCTOR IS IN. A doctor examines the eyes of a male patient

Last Christmas Day, a multi-sectoral coalition led by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) successfully conducted a medical mission with emphasis on psycho-spiritual processing or stress debriefing for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City. The humanitarian project called “ Oplan DOC SANTA” was held at the Lourdes College Gym in Barangay Makasandig in the said city. Around 1,562 patients benefited from the project which included a soup kitchen and gift-giving activity. Doctors wearing the iconic red Santa Claus hats also conducted  parlor games for children while celebrity balladeer Mark Bautista entertained the victims.    

 “With the help of the Archdiocese of  Cagayan de Oro we would like to try an innovative approach to the psycho-social processing that our psychiatrists and psychologists are usually doing for the victims of tragedies. We have tapped our priest and nun volunteers to help console the victims of this tragic calamity during large group sessions inside Lourdes College Gym. This involves basically group ‘talk’ therapy with a religious twist. In troubled times, victims must understand and learn to accept the consequences of such situation so that they will be able to adapt and move on” according to PMA President Oscar D. Tinio.

“Christmas was stolen from the victims of Typhoon Sendong and the PMA with its multi-sectoral partners will try to bring the Christmas cheers back in whatever little way we can” added Tinio.

Running priest Fr. Robert Reyes emphasized the need to remain hopeful in the midst of this tragic experience.  “To be alive is to hope. And to hope to is not to give up on life even if we have to honor our grief. More importantly, to hope is to continue to entrust everything to God and to give life to others.”

***The PMA conducted a similar activity in Iligan City on December 26 at the Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) multi-purpose hall. The PMA targeted a total of 800 families to serve in the area. The doctors and the PMA partners spent their Christmas away from their families to serve the typhoon victims.

A medical worker dispenses medicines at a makeshift tent during the ‘Oplan Doc Santa’.

**You can send your cash donations to Philippine Medical Association Union Bank- West Avenue Account: DISASTER ASSISTANCE   048-001210-6. Please fax a copy of the validated deposit slip to (02) 9296951 so that the PMA could acknowledge your donation.