The blessing of good health is often easier to enjoy in developed countries where most people have access to recent medical breakthroughs and to hospitals with cutting-edge technology. For many of the poor in the Philippines, this is not the case. The sad reality is that millions of Filipinos never get proper medical care for lack of doctors in their area, or simply because they can not afford it. Fortunately, there is a group of Filipino American doctors who regularly come to the Philippines to provide the much needed care to the poor and needy.

     Out of their desire to give something back to Filipinos at home, surgical nurse Niles Perlas with the help of her friends in New York City formed the Filipino American Medical, Inc. (FAMI) in 1999. In partnership with local medical teams and NGOs, FAMI has conducted annual medical and surgical missions, and donated medical equipment to various hospitals and health centers in the Philippines. The outstanding performance and humanitarian services of FAMI has attracted dedicated and noted medical professionals, which include general practitioners, surgeons, nurses, ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, medical internists, and physician assistants from all over the US. The volunteers shoulder their airfares and other incidental expenses related to their participation in the medical missions. Their sacrifices often meant giving up their vacations, and undertaking long and hectic hours of non-stop medical procedures done in consecutives days, and with only the most basic and antiquated equipment.

     Since its establishment, FAMI has provided around 39,000 free medical consultations, and performed over a thousand free surgeries, many of which are delicate procedures such as hernia repair, hydrocelectomy, myomectomy and thyroidectomy. In its eight years of service, FAMI has distributed almost $5 million worth of medicines and medical supplies to Filipino poor. These deeds have touched the lives of others in countless ways. Children born with a cleft palate could lead normal lives after surgery. Goiters and tumors that patients have had for years were removed. Patients with no money or access to doctors and medicines get care that would otherwise be far beyond their reach.

     FAMI’s first medical mission which became a component of the Medical Mission Program of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was conducted in Metro Manila in 1999. During the mission, surgeries were performed on 32 patients of the Jonelta Foundation of Perpetual Help Medical Center, and Rizal Medical Center. In the following years, FAMI conducted its annual medical missions in Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Negros Occidental and Marinduque. Among its hospital and health center beneficiaries are Quezon City General Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital, Marinduque Provincial Hospital, and Bago City Hospital. FAMI has also partnered with various foundations and NGOs such as the Philippine Cancer Society, Two Hearts Foundation, Bicol Medical Outreach Foundation, Emmaus Children’s Home Foundation, and Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko, in delivering its services.

     Concurrent with its medical missions, FAMI also conducts lectures on the latest medical breakthroughs and updates on health and medicine in select hospitals in the Philippines such as St. Luke’s Medical Center, De Los Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati, Makati Medical Center, Rizal Medical Hospital, and University of Perpetual Help Hospital.

     Remarkably, FAMI has brought healing and hope to thousands of lives. The lives of the missionaries are changed and enriched by the experience as well, having had the opportunity to be of service to those who have less in life. Not expecting anything in return, they would return to the US with great satisfaction that they have been able to help their fellow men. The missions, in a way, have reminded them about why they became doctors in the first place.

     In conferring the Banaag Award to Filipino American Medical, Inc., the President recognizes its exemplary dedicated humanitarian service that has brought invaluable medical and surgical attention to many disadvantaged Filipinos.