Christian Medical Mission visits Laos  

28 May 2007 — Philippine Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) Elizabeth P. Buensuceso reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a 24-member medical team from the Philippines conducted a four-day medical mission to various places in Laos from 24 to 27 May 2007.  

The mission consisted of a half-day seminar on Avian Flu, Nutrition in Hospitals and Dengue Fever; a visit to the Donkoi Center for Disadvantaged Children and free clinics with free medicines at the Xaythani District Hospital and the residence of the Ambassador in Ban Ponsinuane. The mission was organized by the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane , Lao PDR in cooperation with the Lao Ministry of Health.  

The group – called the CCF Bronze Staff Medical Team – consisting of four physicians, five dentists and 15 nurses, pharmacists and other paramedics treated around 400 needy residents in Xaythani and Ban Ponsinuane, and brought gifts of toys, foodstuffs, medicines and clothes to the 400 children of the Donkoi Center .  Filipino community members in Vientiane also contributed some of the gifts.  

Ambassador Buensuceso and some of the team members also participated in a tree-planting activity that was coincidentally being held on that day at the Children’s Center.  A ‘golden shower tree,’ planted at the entrance of the Center, was dedicated in honor of the Philippine Embassy.  

Dr. Newell Nacpil and Dr. Deo del Rosario spoke to a group of about 60 medical doctors and medical students at the Ministry of Public Health Conference room on 24 May.  Dr. Susan Garcia was also there to answer questions on dengue fever.  The audience expressed a lot of interest in the medical management of an avian flu incidence since Laos had reported its first two cases of human fatalities in February this year.  Some participants, learning from the lecture of Dr. del Rosario that nutrition plays a big role in the recovery of patients admitted to hospitals, have suggested the creation of dietary units in Laos’ public hospitals.  This suggestion was readily accepted by Public Health Minister Phonemek Dalaloy when the matter was brought to his attention.  

At the welcome dinner hosted by Ambassador Buensuceso at the residence in honor of the medical mission, Minister Dalaloy, who was the guest of honor, expressed his gratitude to the group and hailed them as the modern versions of the “Operation Brotherhood,” who helped tens of thousands of Lao people in the 60’s and 70’s.  The Ambassador’s guests also included Filipinos in Laos working with organizations engaged in poverty-reduction and provision of basic services to the Lao people, such as FAO, WHO, UNDO, GPAR and World Vision.  

The members of the team consisted of among others, Dr. Bernadette Aro, wife of Vice Consul and Second Secretary Chris Aro; Dr. Ma. Lourdes Co; Dr. Geraldine Chua; Dr. Teofilo Fernando Reyes; Mr. Cesar Buensuceso; Ms. Leah Sason; Mr. Jose Nicanor Duro; Ms. Angelina Francisco; Ms. Adelaida Gatchealejo; Ms. Emilene Francisco; Ms. Mary Ann Duro; Mr. Jose Almojuela; Mr. Earlwin Ganaden; Mr. Eduardo Angeles; Ms. Anne Cuevas; Ms. Arlene Echor; and Ms. Isabel Saquing.  Some Lao friends of Ambassador Buensuceso, headed by Dr. Sylavane Pathoumane and Dr. Theppayvonne Pathoumane also helped in the mission. The Philippine Embassy staff also provided full administrative support to the team.  

Ms. Lea Sason, organizer of the group, said that although the job was tiring and required a lot of personal sacrifice on the part of the members, it was all worth it. “The people were so grateful to us and it was a privilege to be used as a God’s vehicles to bless the people of Laos , “she remarked.  END

/jay

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