Philippines

The Need

The Philippine population is extremely diverse and is made up of 7,107 islands. Many of these islands are home to remote villages and the Philippine healthcare system struggles to successfully deliver healthcare to many of these communities. Overall, the healthcare system in the Philippines is of high standard, however services and quality varies widely between rural and urban areas. There is also a critical need for economical and dependable medical equipment and gaps between the quality and quantity of health services exist between the poor and the rich. The Philippine healthcare system is decentralized, which leaves the local level to be primarily responsible for the delivery of healthcare services and public health initiatives. This can make it harder for the most vulnerable populations and the most rural to have reliable access towards health education and health services.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan became one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. When Haiyan made landfall, it devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines. Haiyan is known as one of the deadliest Philippine typhoons on record. Reports estimate that it killed at least 6,300 people in the Philippines alone. The Philippines started to face a humanitarian crisis as millions of people became displaced in the aftermath of Haiyan with the destruction of homes and important infrastructure. This makes the population of the Philippines more vulnerable and susceptible to diseases due to the lack of food, clean water, shelter, and medication.

Please join IMR as we return for another trip to the Philippines, continuing to provide and assist new villages that need medical care and health education. Thanks to the special invitation that we received from the Philippine government, this trip will take us to remote island communities that have an especially difficult time accessing healthcare.

Our Work

International Medical Relief began working with the Philippine community in 2014 providing emergency disaster relief right after the devastating typhoon hit. Since 2014, we have been able to strengthen our relationship with the Philippines and continue to provide medical relief efforts. We have served nearly 10,000 patients through nearly 300 volunteers and staff. During our medical relief trips, we provide community health training, medical treatments, clinic operations, and clinic supplies. Our teams will continue to serve villages in the most rural areas of the Philippines and provide education and care where it is needed the most. 

With diligent planning and preparation, IMR is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 17.

IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing. 

In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. IMR never goes into a country without a formal invitation where there is a great community need for medical or dental care, and health education.

This Mission

International Medical Relief is excited to venture to Palompon on one of the most beautiful islands in the chain of 7,107 islands that make up the Philippines. IMR has visited dozens of locations during more than 13 trips over the last six years, and we continue to reach villages and people that are in great need of medical care and health education. With special invitations from our in-country hosts and partners, IMR is committed to reaching more and more patients in need as we support the Philippines.

Lodging/Transportation

You will arrive on Cebu, then the team will transfer to a commercial ferry to travel to Palompon. When you arrive, you will be welcomed by the Mayor and the town with open arms. Join the community in morning yoga or zumba on the square – they will happily make room for you! Get some ice cream on the dock! Look at the ocean as you breakfast or dine in the evening in your private dining area on the rooftop with food cooked especially for you! The water is hot in the showers, the beds are comfortable, and your roommates are top notch. You and your team will be very comfortable after clinic and will love every moment of your stay here.

Transportation will be varied on this trip – there may be planes, boats, and fun trucks in your future in the Philippines. A ferry will take you from the island of Cebu to Palompon.  Trucks designed for transport will carry you safely to each barangay (remote village) and home again. Motorboats will take you out to see those whales! And finally, your feet: there may be some light hiking if you like to make house calls! Each barangay will have some homebound patients for you to see. This is one of the best parts of an IMR trip, so don’t miss the opportunity.

Highlights

You will work in carefully chosen and remote barangays on this trip.  People here rarely get comprehensive care although the nurses of the public health service make a heroic effort to care for the villages.  You will have the opportunity to work alongside these wonderful public health nurses and with one of the top-rated rescue squads in the Philippines.  Your ground host is one of the top physicians in the Philippines with extensive disaster experience. Working side by side with these remarkable healthcare providers is certainly one of the many highlights of this trip.

Extend Your Stay

The Philippines is an amazing place to extend your stay! While most visitors to Asia go to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, the Philippines offers something for every traveler, from hiking to surfing, malls to handicrafts, volcanoes to blue lagoons. An added bonus is that almost everyone speaks English, and the people are known to be some of the friendliest in the world. The Philippines has beautiful beaches, wonderful food, and some of the best surfing in the world. Allow IMR to help you plan a new adventure after your amazing adventure caring for villagers on Leyte through our partner, Worldwide Navigators! 

• Discover Puerto Princesa, a coastal city on Palawan Island 
• Venture to the Subterranean River National Park, a protected area of the Philippines 
• Explore Honda Bay’s multiple stunning islands with white sand beaches 

Click here to view the itinerary!

Ready for the adventure? Connect with Worldwide Navigators today!