Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines Inc. (TCMFP) started the operation of its hospital, Tzu Chi Eye Center (TCEC), in 2007. To date, TCEC’s volunteer doctors have examined 186,384 outpatients and performed 24,572 surgeries.

Helping TCEC serve so many blind and visually impaired people are volunteer allied health workers, non-medical professionals, donors and office staff. On 20 November, TCMFP held a thanksgiving and appreciation night for all 301 volunteers of TCEC to thank them for supporting the daily clinics and operations of the center.

TCMFP president Dr. Antonio Say led the event praising all volunteers.

“You really touch our hearts. We, eye doctors here in Tzu Chi Eye Center, are so honored by your help. We have been doing charity but our limited capability limits us to just do a few. With your help, we are able to do more,” Say said. 

According to Say, the TCEC in Sta. Mesa, Manila was able to help not only patients from Manila but also from as far north as Pangasinan, as far south as Bicol, even from the Visayas and Mindanao regions. 

Despite the effort, Say said the medical needs of the population is overwhelming and there’s a “need to go near the patients.”

“We are just scratching the surface in reaching the patients who need help with eye care,” he said. “So we have been working on expanding our Eye Center to the south, that is, Imus, Cavite. Hope we can serve more and if we succeed, we will go further to provinces in the Visayas or Mindanao so we can help more people in the whole Philippines. Eye care in the Philippines really need all our help.” 

TCEC medical director Dr. Bernardita Navarro told volunteers they would need help at the Cavite eye center.

“You were with us here in Sta. Mesa. I hope that you will also be with us when we go to Imus, Cavite,” she said.

Meanwhile, Navarro said TCEC is close to reaching 25,000 outpatients served and the number of surgeries also has increased, particularly cataract removal.

“That is where your donations go,” she told donors. “We always maximize each donation we receive.”

Navarro added that Tzu Chi helps not only those people we see but also those who are invisible in society, referring to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). 

Recalling the medical mission of TCEC at the National Bilibid Prison last year upon the request of the DAILY TRIBUNE to help the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Navarro said, “We assure them (PDLs) that even after they leave the penitentiary, if they need further help with their eyes, they can come to us any time.”

Tzu Chi is among the partners recognized by the BuCor during the recent celebration of its anniversary in gratitude for operating on some PDLs blinded by cataracts at NBP’s Minimum Security Compound.