Holy Buck, Fatman!

You can view them here:

http://aaronichi.smugmug.com

23 hours on the plane when you just want to get home and sleep is grueling. However, the trip was amazing and worth every single minute. We traveled with two of our good friends who have already proven to be worthy travel companions. I have to thank my one friend, (she knows who she is) for making this possible. If it wasn’t for her willingness to help out an organization dedicated to bringing quality health care to rural parts of the Philippines, we would not have had the opportunity to visit at all.

I’ll start with how we came to this trip. My friend, (I’ll call her “The good Dr.”) is a compassionate individual focused on gaining experience through any opportunity she can. This particular trait makes her a pretty insightful Dr. since she is focused on every experience being something you can learn from. She heard about a mission that would bring her to the Philippines and decided to get on board with the trip. It was an amazing thing, because her efforts paid off and we all had the opportunity to meet some of the most brilliant young doctors Manila had to offer. We were invited to walk through with her and we did. I couldn’t, out of respect, snap any photos, even though there aren’t any HIPA laws. I just couldn’t do it. I’ll leave with with one photo at the end of this entry. It should say the thousand more words that I want to say.

I mentioned previously that the heath care system in the Philippines is vastly different from what we see here in the states. The hospital that the good Dr. worked rounds in was an old, decrepit building that hadn’t seen improvements in some time. feral cats roam freely through some of the halls and some places do smell a lot like Cat Pee. Paint is peeling, No A/C, not even basic supplies. Most of the patients that were in the one room wards at PGH (Philippines General Hospital) are what they call, “Charity Patients”. They don’t have much money (if they have money at all). If you have some money, you can get a “pay room” that has A/C and is a little more private then the crowded one room wards. They still lack the basics. It is the patients (or patients family) responsibility to buy the necessary supplies like cotton swabs and alcohol. They even bring their own bedsheets and blankets for their sick family member. The hospital will supply one sheet for the bed. When a patient needs to be “Bagged”, (that plastic bag looking thing you see on ER, people) Doctors don’t continue with the bagging, the family takes over. The residents of PGH are busy people. It’s not that they don’t want to help–it’s that they simply cannot. There are too few of them. If a simple, life saving procedure can save a patient, but that person cannot afford to buy that procedure, they will probably die.

The Residents of PGH are an amazing group of people. They humbled the good Dr. by the vast amount of knowledge they have retained since they are tasked with working with SO LITTLE resources. They have so much information committed to memory and are 100% focused on simply treating the patient. The residents graduate with little money, much less then the students in the US (including the student debt) because they are often buying the basic supplies for their patients. Yes, you read that correctly–THEY are buying the supplies!

The residents were so accommodating to both the Good Dr. and to us when we arrived. They really know how to have a good time! we were treated to food that was soooo freaking good—it was amazing. We sang karaoke, danced and drank beer while exchanging stories about culture and life.  They are an amazing group and I am so fortunate to have met them all.

I’ll write more on this topic in the future when I am able to grill the good Dr. about more of her experiences and have more research under my belt about the health care system in the Philippines.

In the mean time, please enjoy our photos at

http://aaronichi.smugmug.com

We visited Taygaytay the next day. A beautiful volcanic lake with a domant volcano top jetting out the top. We had lunch at a wonderful restauran–Andrew zimmerman went there.
We weren’t as jet lagged, but still a bit tired. That evening, our best bud, travel buddy and reason forr the whole trip had us going to dinner with some local resident doctors at the Philippines general Hospital.

A word about the healthcare system in Manila. In short–there isn’t one. The hospital is decrpit and horribly under staffed. Families who seek medical care bring their own bed sheets and medical supplies. Often, the residents who make no more then say…25-30K USD a year will pay for their very own patients supplies. The IV bottels are still glass (think MASH circa 1950’s) and the wards are filled with people in beds beside eachother. In the emergency room, if a patent needs to be bagged–the family does it. if a patient needs something simple like dialysis and they can’t pay, well..they often die. HOWEVER–if you are a wealthy person, you can always go to a private hospital and get great care! Thanks, IMF and World bank for your awesomely shitty privitization policies!!!!

The residents treated us to a local favorite dinner–we had a wonderful dinner at the seaside. the dining experience was amazing. First, you go out to the seafood stands, choose your seafood (that was caught that same day) and bring it to the restaurant of your choice for them to prepare it the way you specify from the menu. We had scallops, oysters, talapia, mussels, soups with Tuna collars…the food itself was an experience. As we ate, we traded stories about life in the US and life in Manila. our Filipino friends were astonished that you couldn’t smoke in bars in the US.

After dinner, we had the full Asian experince and did the private Karoke booths! our Filipino friends were also interested with the way Americans do karoke—in front of the whole bar!

“Doesn’t that make you nervous?” one asked.

“Nope. We’re usually quite liquored up by the time we get to the mike!” I replied.

We had about four rounds and by the end of he evening we were all dancing around to “It’s raining men” undoubtedly–the highlight of our trip so far. We will be able to hook up with our filipino friends on our return to Manila on Mar 22.

As I type this, I’m sitting in Bangkok, Thailand. Lets put it this way—there is a HUGE difference between Manila and Bangkok—The total absence of third world debt.  It’s like night and day.

Today—Bangkok day 1. Photos can be viewed at http://aaronichi.smugmug.com

We arrived safely into manila about midnight after a grueling 24 hour flight. I kinda equated the flight to childbirth–just when you can’t take it any longer–it’s over.  You’re tired and exhausted, but the rewards are worth it.

Today we visited Corrigdor, an island central in the WWII Pacific front. The island is where General MacArthur said “He shall return” and return he did. The ruins were haunting and the history was amazing. we took a ferry style boat for about an hour and arrived in Corrigdor,  and hooked up with a tour guide who added much value to our experience. Our guide was 72 years old and has been giving tours to tourists and school kids for nearly 20 years. He is so knowledgeable that he was chosen to guide the tour for many American dignitaries who visited the Island. It’s interesting to note that only two American Presidents in the last 20 years of our guides job have visited this Island–Prisident Jimmy Carter and President Bill Clinton.  Note that both are Democrats.

our guide (his name escapes me) was fiercely deticated to passing on the very important history the Philippines lent to the WWII pacific theater. He was passionate about the island, its ruins and its history.  I’ve also noticed that the older generation of Filipinos are also very grateful of Former president Corazon Aquino, who was very passionate about preserving her countries rich history and many struggles against occupiers.  I remember her rise to power during the “Peoples power” that overthrew Ferdiand Marcos and shoe horse Imelda—I thought it was cool that a woman was president.

The people here are very friendly. I noticed that they are willing to help you with anything. It’s a stark contrast to the US–where selfishness and closing ones self off from anything is the norm. I can’t imagine what forgienrs this about us.

Well—I’m terribly jet lagged and need some rest–Pictures will be posted on http://aaronichi.smugmug.com shortly. I’ll update my econmoic observations tomorrow—Manila Time–so look for it tuesday evening.