The Search for 30 Foreskins: The Aftermath

After examination week, it’s just about time we once again cringe up on our thesis work. Our study involves the use of a video to decrease the pain perception and increase the knowledge of children undergoing circumcision. We were able to gather respondents during the summer break since that was the “peak” season of circumcision programs sponsored by the different local government units and private parties. We actually participated in two missions, one in St.Theresa’s College and another in Quezon City which gave us a handful of subjects. 


Summer break ended and were still in need of 20 more participants. Our research professor suggested that we just organize our own "Operation Tule" program. I was half-convinced with the idea since school had already started thus adding to the difficulty of finding subjects.

Last Sunday, we took the risk of making a circumcision program materialize. We pulled together the resources coming from the community of  San Jose Del Monte Bulacan, UST Hospital Operating Room, Medical Missions, Inc., Rotary Club Internationale, and other volunteers. I personally would like to thank Sir Gian Carlo Torres for helping us with the supplies, Maam Brenda Luy-Aragon for helping us find a volunteer doctor, Mrs. Neulaendner providing us with transportation and Dr. Pio Calma for joining us in this Operation Tule.


The circumcision program lasted from 10:00am up to around 5:00pm. We were very exhausted after the last operation but still very happy since we were able to give our service to the community. Aside form that, our group was also very happy since were were now able to satisfy the required number of participants for our study.


After packing up our things, we were led by one of the community leaders to the water refilling station donated by the Rotary Club Internationale from Korea. I personally believe that dole out giving of goods would only provide temporary relief so it's really a good thing that the Rotary makes projects like this which could help the community to be self-sustaining.


Before heading back home, we were led to the house of one of the community workers to eat. As we approached their house, we saw pink and purple cloths hanging as decorations in front of their house. Her daughter was celebrating her debut! It was the first time I went to a debut without even knowing or even meeting the debutant. Oh, gate crashers we were.


Although it was  fun seeing how the community puts up celebrations like this. I like how everything was so simple in the place. From the decorations and the sound system, the party had a province-esque birthday feel to it.


While we were feasting on the platter of pancit, menudo, lumpiang shanghai and morcon (I just had to put the entire menu in), one of the volunteers went up to the microphone and acknowledged the group's presence and contribution. We felt very appreciated at that time. It's one of those appreciations that you don't normally get in the hospital setting where people just seem to come and go. This makes me consider taking up a career in Community Health Nursing (CHN). I mean, even though you don't get much compensation for doing your work, the fulfillment you get from serving people is enough.


I even like the though of doing home visits, conducting health education programs at the barangay halls, and giving immunizations to babies and children. Economic matters aside, I don't get it why nurses have ironically no jobs in the Philippines and are struggling to pay hospitals for work experience while there are a lot of countrymen in need of their services. Choosy lang talaga siguro ang ibang mga nurses. I think CHN is still one untapped field currently unemployed nurses may explore.

One sentence from the volunteer struck me the most. He said, "Mas mabisa ang gamot kapag libre". Oo nga naman. Mas mabuti nga naman kung habang nagpapagamot ang pasyente wala na siyang iniindang bayarin. Sana maitanim ito sa kaisipan ng mga health care professionals na dapat hindi lang pera ang habol sa kanilang propesyon kundi pagtulong din sa mga may sakit at nangangailangan ng kalinga.