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Villagers from a primarily Muslim barangay on Basilan Island line up patiently for registration, screening, and free medical care.

A Case to Remember

The island of Basilan has many serious medical challenges – rabies, tuberculosis, leprosy, and scabies. Because they cannot afford long term or critical care, many inhabitants let their diseases reach critical-lethal stages. One case was particularly memorable.

A woman came to the MEDCAP site on Basilan seeking medical care for a skin problem. Maj. (Dr.) Chris Pappas, a U.S. Special Forces surgeon, said, "She had a mole diagnosed at the Zamboanga City Medical Center 10 years ago as cancer, but she was unable to get the necessary treatment. As a Muslim, she used her face veil to cover the growing lesion, which developed to a full thickness erosion of the right side of her face, her nose, and the facial bone and muscular structure beneath her right eye."

"A counterpart Armed Forces of the Philippines surgeon saw her, cleaned the wound, and referred her for follow-up care. She actually came to a second MEDCAP, where we developed a concrete plan to help her. Our team medic on the ground, SFC John Hines, with the help of a local Philippine nurse, Yasmin, brought the patient, with her sister, up to Isabella, Basilan, via the commercial ferry to the Zamboanga City Port," said Maj. Pappas. "We picked them up, took her to the Zamboanga City Medical Center where she was admitted to the hospital for evaluation and treatment under the supervision of Dr. Monsanto, a local Philippine ear, nose, and throat specialist, who works with a plastic surgeon from Hawaii."