Always And Forever

Medical Mission

The covered court that was filled with little chatters became alive. Within minutes it transformed into a place that seemed to be a temporary hospital. Registration table occupied the entrance. Consultations stretched across the basketball court, with each doctor having a different table.The classroom surrounding the court became treatment rooms. Soldiers arranged the oxygen tanks and volunteers assembled the portable medical machines.

Plastic mono blocks lined and patients immediately filled them. Mothers carrying their sleeping infants, elderly leaned on their wooden canes, everybody came. All because someone told them:

"May libreng kunsulta at gamot"

Healthcare is a luxury, but it shouldn't be. And for an ordinary person whose minimum wage is equivalent to a doctor's fee on a single patient, it was hard to pass the opportunity.

"Remember everything during the briefing. Especially pag may nawala, hanapin kaagad", Rafa spoke to the team leaders.
"Kapag ako ang nawala", he paused dramatically, "Hayaan n'yo na".

Everyone laughed, even the soldiers stationed near him.

And just like that, patients started coming one after another. Extension cords scattered across the floor. Generators hummed to life.

A little girl with a persistent fever. An elderly farmer who had infected cuts on both arms. A pregnant lady needing prenatal consultation. There was no place for a pause as everything flowed.

Sherwin thought he had enough experience in public service. Not until he saw Leni finished consulting a patient and already talking to another. Not until he saw Riza examine a child with one hand and the other wrote a prescription. Not until he noticed that none of them looked at the clock. They all poured themselves in. He witnessed public service beyond privileges and air conditioned offices. It was public service with the grass roots of the society.

Eventually, the senator found himself carrying more things than talking. He moved chairs, directed patients to the right station. Carried the needed medicine boxes from the classroom to the consultation area. He just tried his best to help. That day Win came as a senator, and worked as a volunteer.

"Sir", a woman called for Win's attention as he was arranging patient records.

"Po?"

"Pwede po bang patulong?" the woman handed him her registration form, "Di po kase ako marunong mag sulat at mag basa"

Win immediately set the folders down, "Ay wala pong problema", he uncapped a pen and settled beside her.

"Ano pong pangalan?"

The woman stated her name and he carefully wrote as she spoke.

"Edad ho?"
"67 po sir"

Win just continued asking her the necessary information. In which she answered slowly and Win making sure he wrote them correctly. Upon finishing, he turned the clip board to her.

"Dito po ang perma"

The woman looked at him and apologetically smiled. Win realized what she was conveying and turned to a volunteer.

"Paki abot nung ink pad"

Moments later, he gently pressed her thumb on the pad before guiding it toward the form.

"Ayan, hintay nalang po for consultation"

The woman heart fully thanked him before proceeding to the queue.

Riza, who had been stitching a patient's wound caught herself stealing glances at the registration table and witnessed everything. A smile was pasted on her face,which she didn't notice but the nurses definitely did.