2016 Philippine Mission

Dr. Shu participated in the 2016 Philippines Vasectomy Mission from Tuesday, February 23 through Tuesday, March 1. This was his third time participating in the NVSI’s international mission.
For the 2016 mission, physicians and support staff arrived from three continents and had more countries of origin than we could easily count. Behind the scenes, the NSVI Board of Directors and the Philippines Domestic Team had done months of work to pave the way for this successful mission. We were also fortunate to have a tip-top team of visiting assistants, the majority of whom were with us in 2015.

Day 1 – Sacred Heart Hospital in Cebu
The team got right to work setting up the operating room in Cebu. Since much of the team has worked at Sacred Heart Hospital, they were able to get going right away.

Day 2 – Sacred Heart Hospital and then ferry to Hilongos
On Day 2, the NSVI team continued with vasectomies at Sacred Heart Hospital. The exchange of ideas was fantastic.

In the late afternoon, the team took a ferry to the next city, Hilongos. The journey from Cebu to Hilongos crosses the Camotes Sea. Dr. Suarez told us stories of crossing this sea to visit his home island when he was in medical school years ago.

Day 3 – Vasectomies in Hilongos and then ferry back to Cebu
By the time the sun rose, the ferry had safely delivered the team to the Hilongos port on the island of Leyte.

Our amazing advance team of organizers had already hung banners in Hilongos announcing the free services. The physicians walk to clinic from the ferry in the gentle morning light. The city was just starting to wake up…

• Steven JB Liz Sarah under the Free No Scalpel Vasectomy sign

Day 4 – Sacred Heart Hospital and Cebu City Jail
Back at Sacred Heart Hospital, the part of team worked in Sacred Heart Hospital. Another part of the team went to the jail to provide free vasectomies to the inmates.

Day 5 – Lectures at Southwestern University and more vasectomies…
The NSVI team started Day 5 with lectures and discussions at Southwestern University in Cebu. Each year NSVI has enjoyed giving talks to the medical students at Southwestern University and the students have been cheerful and enthusiastic.

• Ramon Suarez at the mic at Southwestern University

• NSVI group after lectures at Southwestern University

Day 6 – a little rest on the Philippine Sea
On Sunday the operating rooms were closed, so the team took some needed rest by cruising around the Philippine Sea on a traditional dual-outrigger boat.

The NSVI team was delighted to be hosted at the Casino Español de Cebu by the generosity of Dr. Alex Lemkaking, a Filipino-American urologist from Maryland. During dinner we learned more about the racially diverse history of the Philippines. Filipino history reflects many years of interactions with other Pacific islands, China, Spain, and the United States.

Day 7 – Media Event and Vasectomies in Danao
On day 7 the team spread the message even further by visiting the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Company.
After the media event, the NSVI team continued north to Danao, a coastal city of over 100,000 inhabitants known for its manufacturing of guns. We were welcomed there at the Cebu Provincial Hospital, Danao City branch.
After a final vigorous day of work, the team enjoyed a farewell meal of traditional Filipino food in Cebu.

Friends and family say goodbyes, and our last meeting together until the next mission…