Going the Least Trodden Path

By LULU RECLUSADO-NARIO

Photography by Mandy Navasero

THERE’S a new breed of doctors who are treading the least trodden path to practice their profession. Instead of heading out pronto, upon passing the licensure exams, for greener pastures abroad, they serve in the country’s far-flung areas and give medical service a deeper meaning.

These young doctors received full scholarship assistance from the First Gentleman Foundation Inc. (FGFI).

The First Gentleman himself, Juan Miguel T. Arroyo, launched the program, aptly called Bagong Doktor Para Sa Bayan, in 2006 to celebrate his 60th birthday. The program was actually inspired by the Doctors to the Barrios program of then Health Secretary Dr. Juan Flavier.

“I had always wanted to be a doctor, but my parents could not afford the expenses,” says Dr. Romelei Camiling-Alfonso, one of the leading scholars from the University of the Philippines (UP), now serving the community of Agutaya in Palawan. “The scholarship came at a time when I needed it the most.”

The program requires the scholars to serve two years in the underserved locations selected by the DOH. Camiling reveals that even before she became a scholar, it had already been her dream to join the Doctors to the Barrios program.

“But then given my situation, I only hoped I could do it someday,” she adds. “But the scholarship was God’s affirmation that I really belong here.”

An incident and an important event proved that Camiling is really meant to be where she is right now.

First, as Camiling was about to leave for Palawan, her mother was diagnosed for cancer. It was a tough time for her. She prayed for divine intervention and entrusted her mother to her sister and Juris Soliman, FGFI president. Today, her mother is miraculously healed.

Then early this year, Camiling’s boyfriend, Arvin Alfonso, an industrial engineer who works for an airline company, proposed to her. Upon learning this, the people of Agutaya wanted to be sure that marriage won’t take away their prized doctor. And so the locals convinced Camiling and her fiance to have their wedding on the island—and the couple wouldn’t have

to spend a single centavo. The couple tied the knot last April 5, and it proved to be Dr. Camiling’s dream wedding. She wore a gown especially made by the women of Agutaya.

MOD: How ready were you for your two-year medical duty in Palawan for your two-year medical duty?

Dr. Romelei Camiling-Alfonso:I had a `survival’ backpack containing a life vest that my husband bought for me, a built-in whistle, two pairs of black socks (sharks are attracted to exposed palms and soles, which reflect light in the water and they mistake for fish), drinking water, candy bars, and lots of sunscreen. I brought along medical supplies that are potentially life-saving and potentially unavailable supplies such as syringes and vials of emergency medicines, sutures, and Lidocaine, a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. I can’t live without my laptop—it’s where I store all my pictures and medical books, and my cell phone.

What about the non-material things that you armed yourself with? How did you conquer your fear of the unknown?

This is a cliché—I do pray a lot and find strength in God’s promises in the Bible. A doctor’s job can really be faith-stretching. Once I had an emergency case­—an eight-year-old boy cut all his fingers and the bones were showing already. Normally, he should be put to sleep and be given general anesthesia, but we don’t have that on the island. But I had to repair the tendons and so I had to inject anesthesia into the poor boy’s hand each time—I had no choice. Na-repair naman siya and he healed well.

How is life on the island? What’s a regular working day?

My first trip to Palawan was terrible, especially the boat ride, because the waves went as high as a one-storey building, no exaggeration. When I arrived on the island, para akong basang sisiw. On my first working day, I had an emergency case right away—a woman about to give birth—but it went well. Then there was an instance when a patient needed to be brought to a rural health center, but there was no budget for a tricycle ride. What the townsfolk did was they wrapped him in a blanket and they all helped carry him to the health center. I also had a serious case—the patient needed urgent surgery or else he would die right in front of me. The nearest hospital was seven hours away by sea! Good thing a non-governmental organization (NGO) donated money for fuel. On the lighter side, I have learned to eat seaweeds. Sometimes food is scarce in my area so I have learned to eat whatever is available. Sometimes we have huge fish fresh out of the sea and sometimes I get fed with lobsters.

What is your driving force? What inspires or motivates you to do the things you do?

I come from a humble family. I am thankful for all the government scholarships I have enjoyed from high school up to medical school. I have this deep conviction that I owe a lot to the Filipino people. There was a time when I didn’t know where I would get the money I needed, but God clearly steered me towards medicine. He placed this deep sense of purpose in my heart. And I do not regret my choice. This has always been my dream job. I hold clinics and surgeries for free. I give out medicines for free. This is my payback for the Filipino people. And I know that wherever God will take me next, my service will not end after my two-year contract.

Aren’t you missing out on career advancement and financial rewards because you’re working with the government and in a barrio?

No, no, I see this stint as more of an investment. I think it’s the most enriching life experience I have ever had. Besides, I get decent benefits from the government for being a barrio doctor, plus, since I’m in a remote area, I do not need to dress up, have a car, or any of the things I have to have if I was practicing in the city. So I don’t get to spend a lot.

What’s the best advice you could give to women out there who may want to serve the country the way you’re doing?

First, know yourself. When you know yourself, you do not get dictated by what your peers want you to be or what other people want you to be. Second, do not be afraid. I know a couple of really good doctors who chickened out of the program during their application simply because they felt the task was too huge for them. I have often felt that sense of inadequacy, but God will always give you the strength and wisdom when you need it. And there are unexpected rewards along the way like, for me, free trips to nearby islands like Amanpulo. It’s also relaxing to watch the sunset from my island—it’s as if God paints

for me every day.

Comments? Email modeditorial@gmail.com.