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We live in the urban area, which has clinics and hospitals all over. Have you ever wondered how the people in the rural areas respond to their health situation? Where do they go for check-ups or emergencies?  Well, my thesis mates and I decided to research on this for our thesis.

Shai, Kath, Me, Ariane, and Cha

From our preliminary data, we found out that there is a mountain clinic in Guihulngan, Bacolod Oriental. Yes, a clinic in Mount Kansalakan. The Franciscan brothers decided to build a mountain clinic to take care of the health of the residents of Barangay Banwague.

My thesis mates and I went to the mountain clinic last May 2008 for our thesis immersion/ethnography. We spent a week to interact with the residents, learn from their activities and practices, “nakipamuhay kami” to understand their situation and how they cope with their problems regarding health.

Caption: Here we are in the airport, waiting for our flight

Since Mount Kansalakan really far from the city of Guihulngan, the Franciscans needed people to be in charge in the clinic while they are back in the seminary, which is in the city proper of Guihulngan. However, who would operate a clinic where the residents have so little in terms of finances? Well, in Guihulngan, there are no stay-in doctors and nurses but the residents are more than willing to be the “medical practitioners” themselves. They volunteers are called community health workers. They are so generous with their time and care for the people.

Various non-government organizations such as the Council for Health and Development, Negros Island Health Integrated Program and Community Medicine assist them by giving orientation, seminars, training to equip the residents with knowledge and skills with regards to first-aid, getting vital signs, and other health services.

If in hospitals there wards, private rooms and even suites, this is where the patients stay when they are confined in the clinic.

The clinic is really helpful because the health workers can handle minor accidents and some illnesses. The patients need not travel to the hospital, which would require a half-day of travel by foot.
Speaking of travelling by foot, we went with the clinic staff who often visits the residents who are not capable of going to the clinic anymore. These residents may be too old, too weak or those who just did not have the heart to fight anymore.  I experienced how hard it was to walk or hike in the mountains! I was crying already because of exhaustion and pride. I was tired but at the same time, I was happy that I was able to go to the homes of the residents. The houses are really far from each other!

Caption: Here I am still smiling because we just started to walk. Haha! I don’t have a picture to show that I was tired, maybe because my thesis mates were also exhausted to take pictures. Haha!

Here are photos, which show how hard it was to travel by foot or even with a car.

Our experience in the mountain is a very humbling one. I have learned to appreciate the little things in life. I admire their relationships, because they are so concerned with one another. Even if they have so little, they still give what they can. For instance, we went to a house of patient who has cancer. Her husband climbed a tree to give us buko for some snack. That was really touching. I did my best to control my tears. I was teary-eyed because of the hardships they experience but I am also happy because they are empowered to fight and live despite problems such as poverty, abuses, etc.

I would like to thank everyone who helped and assisted us in our journey of discovery. Dr. Dela Paz, Dr. Hamoi, Ms. Lomibao, Dr. Jara, Ms. Torrecampo, Fr. Gerson Balitore, the NIHIP volunteers, Brother Mario, the staff and residents of the mountain clinic. My thesis mates and I are grateful for opening our eyes, not just to the desperation and the poverty, but also to the generosity and goodwill that abound all around it. Thank you for your hospitality and kindness. Sincerely, we love you!

Our thesis immersion taught us lessons in life. It has created a great impact on us. We are not just doing the thesis just to pass and graduate. Armed with our Filipino and Benedictine values, we are on our way to becoming agents of change. Our goal is to make everyone aware of the present health situation and provide ways on how to overcome it through their own efforts. We know it is a big project. There are huge problems that the national government will have to address. But hopefully, through the documentary and research paper that we will make, we hope to put the issue of public health on the national agenda so that people will hear about it, discuss it, and force our officials to do something to alleviate the crisis.

Responding to the health situation,
Bea

This entry was posted on Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 9:58 am and is filed under Etcetera, Reflections. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.