FG's doctors' stories

The first batch of young doctors who had finished the medical course under the First Gentleman Foundation (FGF) Bagong Doktor Para Sa Bayan program are now serving in far-flung places in the country. Telling their experiences, the men and women in uniform describe the thrill and the unexpected in working with patients most of whom had never ever seen a doctor.

Dr. Heidee Exconde, a graduate of the University of the Philippines, was disappointed when she was assigned to cover Gajidiocan, Romblon’s 14 barangays (Population: 20,000). She realized though that the very poor people were kind and caring; when they learned she liked buko juice, they served it in its shell. They give her chicken and eggs for curing them of minor ailments. Heidi likes her assignment now.

Eight days after Dr. Lemuel Non, also of UP, arrived in Kiamba, Saranggani, fighting erupted between the military and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Lemuel had to attend to the medical needs of some of the 800 indigent patients, mostly from the T’boli tribe, in three evacuation centers. When he arrived at the site, noisy and distraught evacuees fell into a hush upon seeing a doctor for the first time.

Dr. Rhodora Faye Fernandez (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila) is assigned in Dumaran (Palawan), which has 16 barangays with a population of 20,000. People did not like her policy of “No House Calls.” When an outbreak of diarrhea caused the deaths of three persons and illness of 26, she applied school-learned remedies. Seeing that disease was water-borne, she gave lessons on sanitation and hygiene. Now people visit her in her clinic. She says, “I guess I was able to change their mindset. It’s a very humbling experience. I’m glad I faced the challenge. Barrio work is a continuous learning and enriching experience.” For cases needing major surgery, she, like the other doctors, take the patients to the nearest hospital.

These doctors are three of 102 medical students enjoying FGF scholarships in their fourth and fifth year of the medical course at the UP, PLM, and West Visayas University. They all needed financial help to finish their studies, had good grades, and obvious commitment to serve, at least for two years after graduation, in the barrios.

Bagong Doktor Para Sa Bayan derived inspiration from Senator Juan Flavier’s Doctor to the Barrios program when he was Secretary of Health. Dr. Flavier, instead of going to the US like his classmates, chose to work with the rural folk in Nueva Ecija. He has provided guidelines for the FGF project.

The project was launched in June 2006 to celebrate the 60th birthday of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Undersecretary and FGF president Juris Umali Soliman says Mike, who had survived a major surgery, considered the project a new lease on life. On the occasions where the scholars were presented, Mike said he was too old to pursue his medical ambition and found fulfillment in helping doctors help others. He said the project promotes “brain gain,” instead of the worrisome “brain drain” that drives Filipino doctors to other countries.     

The project kept growing — from the first batch of 20 scholars from the UP and PLM in 2006 to the second batch of 20, and the third batch of 22 scholars. The fourth batch of 40 was presented last month, with some of them studying at the West Visayas State University.

The scholarships include free tuition fees in the schools they are attending, allowances, uniforms, leather medical bags with complete medical equipment, internship allowances, pre-board allowances and board exam fee payment plus Senator Flavier’s books.

After the scholars have taken the board exams (all 20 members of the first batch passed them, with Dr. Lemuel Non copping eighth place), they are given assignments by the Department of Health’s Doctor to the Barrios program. Health Secretary Frank Duque, all praises for the young doctors, smiled widely during a presentation two weeks ago when FG Arroyo joked that Dr. Duque and the Bagong Doktor Para sa Bayan scholars would take Dr. Flavier’s career path — from the barrio to the health department and the Senate.

The doctors and assignments are matched; no one is sent to one’s hometown. After a bout with “culture shock” (taking long and tiring bus rides, no electricity and moviehouses, and in the case of Dr. Heidee Vizconde, no Jollibee and French fries), they see the rural folks’ simplicity and kindheartedness, the reasons why they are poor, and more reason why they need a doctor in their midst.

The scholars have found friends in the rural folk, as well as a friend in Usec Soliman, who is like a mother to them, sending them medicines, letters, and carts of advice. Every need of the scholar is taken care of by Juris, and relayed to FG. Dr. Paulo Papillero, says he is introduced in San Isidro, Isabela, as “pinadala ni FG.” In the remote community, Paulo says, “the good work of FG is recognized.”

Juris emphasizes that funds for the project are raised from the FG golf tournaments held from time to time. “Not a single centavo from the government is spent on the project,” Mike adds.

Very proud of the project’s success are members of the FGF medical board — chairman Dr. Carmelo Alfiler, who is director of the Philippine General Hospital, and members Drs. Aida Salonga, Eleanor Galvez, and Kenneth Ronquillo.

The other scholars are on internship and will be dispatched to barrio centers after they take the board exams in 2009 and 2011. To the medical board’s and Juris’ surprise, Mike announced that he will be willing to sponsor another batch of 50 scholars! That’s good news for barrio folk in need of doctors. 

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