In August 2025, the Tzu Chi Philippines Foundation hosted its 283rd free clinic in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, bringing together medical professionals and volunteers from various regions, including the Tzu Chi University College of Medicine's "Humanitarian Medical Outreach to the Philippines" team. This extensive three-day mission provided crucial medical care to the local community, offering a unique blend of service and learning that left a lasting impact on both beneficiaries and participants.

A Holistic Approach to Community Health

The free clinic, held at the Capitol Gymnasium, offered a wide range of services, including internal medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, ophthalmology, gynecology, and ENT care, serving a total of 5,249 patients. Beyond consultations, more than 80 surgeries were performed and nearly 90 surgical consultations were given at the Dr. George Tocao Hofer Medical Center, alongside the production of 36 prosthetics. This comprehensive approach aimed to address immediate health needs while also fostering a spirit of compassion.

Dean Tsung-Ying Chen (陳宗鷹) of Tzu Chi University College of Medicine exemplified this spirit. On the final day, he shed his administrative role to don a Tzu Chi volunteer uniform, assisting in the bustling pediatric waiting area. He guided young patients and their families, ensuring smooth patient flow and easing the pressure on the doctors. His hands-on involvement also influenced the students, demonstrating that true leadership lies in humble service.

The dental clinic also saw moments of profound human connection. When a mother needed a tooth extraction, her young daughter became distressed. Volunteer Pei-Jean Ku (顧佩珍) immediately stepped in, gently comforting the child, allowing the dentist to focus on the treatment. This timely support not only stabilized the atmosphere but also highlighted the power of humanistic care in a medical setting. Dental student Yin-Chi Mo (莫殷其) experienced a touching moment when a grateful woman, whose child she had assisted, returned with a bag of "Philippine longans" specifically for her. The woman said, "Although it's not an expensive fruit, thank you for coming to help us and treat our illnesses." The simple, heartfelt gesture moved Mo to tears, demonstrating the deep appreciation felt by the community.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The "Humanitarian Medical Outreach to the Philippines" program provided an invaluable learning experience for the Tzu Chi University students. Heng-Tai Chu (朱恆泰), a student of post-baccalaureate Chinese medicine, shared that his initial inspiration to join came from witnessing Tzu Chi's relief efforts during Taiwan's 921 earthquake. He found the free clinic atmosphere to be unexpectedly positive and joyful, reigniting his passion for helping others.

Pharmacy students Hsin-Lien Li (李新蓮) and Szu-Tung Chen (陳思彤) faced unique challenges and opportunities for growth. Hsin-Lien Li, initially shy, found herself embraced by enthusiastic Filipino nursing students volunteering at the clinic. Their warmth helped her overcome her reservations, enabling her to engage more freely with others. Chen, working in the pharmacy, quickly learned to identify numerous medications and decipher prescriptions, developing faster and more accurate dispensing skills. She realized the critical role of pharmacists in the medical team and felt a profound sense of responsibility, especially given the limited medical resources in Zamboanga.

Student Yen-Ting Chiang (江彥霆), observing internal medicine consultations, gained firsthand experience with diverse medical conditions, from a large hand tumor requiring further treatment to a rat bite needing a tetanus shot. He noted the stark difference in prevalent diseases compared to Taiwan, where lifestyle-related illnesses are more common, highlighting the impact of resource scarcity on health. Dean of Academic Affairs Kun-Jui Hsieh (謝坤叡) played a crucial role in facilitating this learning, coordinating logistics, explaining procedures, and ensuring students had opportunities to observe and participate, bridging the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice.

Community Engagement and Preventive Health

A significant part of the mission involved a cross-cultural collaboration with students from Ateneo de Zamboanga University College of Medicine. Together, they visited the Doña Josefa community in Ipil, focusing on preventive health education and home visits. Tzu Chi students used simple illustrations and demonstrations to teach oral hygiene, with Ateneo student Ron Villano (榮恩) providing lively translations.

Lerry Dianah, a local resident, expressed her gratitude for the basic dental care knowledge. "Seeing a dentist is very expensive and far away!" she explained, noting that her daily wage of 350 pesos was often less than the cost of a single dental procedure, which could range from 500 to 8,000 pesos. This highlighted the critical need for accessible and affordable healthcare education.

During home visits, students encountered families facing various health challenges, from a boy with G6PD deficiency to an 8-year-old with a feeding tube and an asthmatic couple unable to work. These experiences deeply resonated with the students. Hsiang-Yi Cheng (程湘儀) shared, "These home visits taught me to understand different life circumstances with greater empathy, and to cherish what I have even more." Yu-Chieh Chiu (邱榆倢) observed, "In resource-limited rural areas, even small changes like dental care, balanced nutrition, or quitting smoking can bring substantial improvements to a family's life." Ateneo student Josel Nebab reflected, "I truly understood that many people are unaware of available medical resources, and more families forgo treatment due to economic pressure."

Dean Jaybee Bazan of Ateneo de Zamboanga University College of Medicine expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing mutual learning and shared values of compassion. He noted Ateneo's strength in community-oriented medical education and looked forward to further exchanges, including Ateneo students visiting Tzu Chi University.

Inspiring Future Healers

The team's journey also included a visit to the Tzu Chi Philippines Eye Center in Manila, established in 2007, which provides free eye care to local residents. Students observed advanced equipment and learned about the center's mission to restore sight and dignity. Resident volunteer Po-Fang Li (李伯芳) explained that the center never refuses any patient, regardless of their economic status, believing that sincere care can inspire goodness in everyone. This inclusive approach deeply impressed student Chun-Kai Yang (楊竣凱), who praised the center for its open-mindedness and its commitment to spreading love.

The "Humanitarian Medical Outreach to the Philippines" program served as a living classroom, demonstrating that medical care extends beyond treating illness to encompass profound humanistic care. Through direct service, cross-cultural collaboration, and personal reflection, students gained not only professional skills but also a deeper understanding of empathy and the true meaning of being a compassionate healer.

Written by Ching-Chun Lin (林靜君)

Source: 臺菲醫師身教 慈大人醫菲揚義診活教材