In the serene words of the Buddha, “Arogya parama labha”—good health is the greatest wealth. This profound teaching resonated deeply at the heart of the Tzu Chi Health Mission’s three-day medical camp, held at Katugahahena Divisional Hospital in Sri Lanka from August 23rd to 25th, 2024. Located in a remote mountainous area, the hospital serves a community of rubber tappers, tea pickers, and farmers, making access to healthcare a critical need. Over 136 volunteers from Tzu Chi Singapore travelled to Sri Lanka at their own expense to work alongside local volunteers to bring much-needed healthcare services to the underprivileged.
Planning and Preparation: A Labor of Love
On the 22nd, some Tzu Chi volunteers and Tzu Ching youths left for the Katugahahena Divisional Hospital to make preparations for the event. | Photos courtesy of Tzu Chi Foundation
Although the free medical clinic lasted only three days, the effort behind it began many months earlier. A pre-advance team of six volunteers from Singapore arrived on August 19 to lay the groundwork, followed by a larger team of 41 who set up the logistics, coordinated with local officials, and ensured all was ready for the event. The main team of 89 volunteers arrived just in time for the clinic, joining hands with the local Tzu Chi volunteers.
Katugahahena Divisional Hospital does not have specialized dental services. This medical clinic provided the residents with dental cleanings, extractions, fillings, minor surgeries, and healthcare education. | Photos by Chin Hin Quah
The chosen venue, Katugahahena Divisional Hospital, was meticulously selected after multiple visits by both Sri Lankan and Singaporean volunteers. The hospital, which lacks specialized dental services, benefited from the free clinic’s ability to offer essential care such as dental cleanings, extractions, fillings, minor surgeries, and healthcare education. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan youth volunteers were hard at work creating educational materials on healthy habits, vegetarianism, and Tzu Chi’s core values. These materials served to educate and uplift the attendees beyond the physical healthcare they would receive.
Final Preparations: Setting the Stage
On August 22, the day before the camp began, volunteers—including energetic youth volunteers—arrived at the hospital to arrange the final details. That same evening, the advance team from Singapore arrived to a warm welcome from the local volunteers. Together, they worked late into the night, organizing materials and equipment, ensuring everything was ready for the next day.
The Medical Clinic Begins: A Warm Welcome
Volunteers from Singapore received a warm welcome from the locals. | Photos courtesy of Tzu Chi Foundation | Sri Lanka | 2024/08/23
August 23rd saw the arrival of the main team of 89 Singaporean volunteers, greeted with flowers from local children—a gesture of appreciation that set a joyful tone for the entire event. Registration began at 11:30 AM, and soon, people from all corners of the island arrived for care.
As patients waited in line, Tzu Chi volunteers of the activities team provided health education on the benefits of vegetarianism and healthy living practices. Many attendees were inspired to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, motivated by the knowledge that it not only benefits human health but also promotes animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
Comprehensive Healthcare for All
Director Ranji of Katugahahena Divisional Hospital gave his full support to the medical clinic. From the planning stage, the director was on-site, personally providing care and attention. | Photos courtesy of Tian-tian Huang | Sri Lanka
The medical services offered were diverse and comprehensive. From optometry and dental care to general medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), patients received free consultations and treatments from a team of medical professionals from the Singapore Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), supported by local doctors.
Thanks to the efforts of TCM doctors and volunteers, several residents experienced relief from pain after their consultations. | Left photo by Ah Ngo Mai; Right photo by Chooi-Kim Khor
With the Katugahahena Divisional Hospital lacking dental services, the clinic’s dental team stepped in to provide crucial care, offering cleanings, fillings, extractions, and minor surgeries to a community that had little access to such treatments. This brought immediate relief to many, especially those who had been suffering from untreated dental issues for years.
Over the course of the three-day clinic, 4,638 patients were treated: 1,460 patients received the eye care, 1,063 received dental care, 1,170 sought treatment for general illnesses, and 945 patients benefited from TCM. The camp addressed a wide range of health concerns, offering not only immediate care but also hope for long-term well-being.
Stories of Transformation: Healing Beyond Medicine
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the camp, there were countless stories of lives transformed. One patient, Sanjeewa Sisira Kumara, who had suffered from debilitating rheumatism for over a year, found new hope through TCM treatment. For the first time in months, he could raise his arm again. His eyes sparkled with gratitude as he shared his relief and joy.
Another heartwarming story is that of Anusha Kumari, a young woman who had endured months of pain following an accident that damaged three of her front teeth. Unable to afford the private treatment that would have cost her 120,000 Sri Lankan rupees (about USD 397), Anusha delayed seeking help, enduring much pain every time she ate or drank. At the clinic, she finally received root canal treatment for free, allowing her to eat comfortably again. "I can finally bite an apple!" she exclaimed, her face glowing with gratitude.
Dentist Guo-rong Tang, who led her treatment, explained the complexity of the procedure, noting that her teeth were infected and inflamed. Instead of opting for extractions, Tang worked to save her teeth, condensing two lengthy treatment sessions into one. Anusha’s radiant smile at the end of the procedure was a testament to the power of compassion and perseverance.
A Future of Hope and Healing
In addition to treating immediate health concerns, the clinic provided valuable medical equipment, including a portable X-ray machine donated by a local wholesaler. This device allowed for detailed imaging, enhancing the quality of care during procedures like root canals and extractions. Such contributions made it possible for the clinic to offer services that are both life-changing and, in some cases, lifesaving.
Local youth volunteers like 17-year-old Imaasha also played a crucial role, assisting with ophthalmology and pharmacy services. Her reflections on the experience highlighted the deep impact of the clinic on both patients and volunteers. "No matter how tired we were, seeing the pure smiles of those in need made all the fatigue disappear," she shared. "What we learned here was real education—more valuable than anything we could learn in a classroom."
Imaasha also spoke of the profound connection she felt while translating for the patients and doctors. The warm exchanges in Sinhala and the compassion radiating from the medical team revealed the deep humanity present in every interaction.
A Lasting Impact
By the end of the three-day camp, Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore and Sri Lanka had not only provided critical healthcare services to over 4,600 people but had also planted seeds of compassion, unity, and hope. The camp was a powerful reminder that when we come together in service to others, we can create ripples of kindness that extend far beyond the walls of a hospital.
As the volunteers packed up their equipment, they did so with hearts full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve and a shared commitment to return in the future, to continue spreading the message of love and care through healthcare.
