IN THE EYES OF SERVICE (Reflections of a community health nurse)
CHESTCORE or the Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region is a non-government organization founded in 1981 in Northern Luzon, Philippines which envisions a health care system that is accessible, preventive in its emphasis and relevant to the Filipino people’s needs. It promotes community-based approaches and strategies in health care and assists in the establishment and strengthening of community health structures, which helps the people improve their health conditions. It also assists the indigenous peoples in their continuing struggle for the recognition and defense of their rights for ancestral lands and self-determination. Its programs include training of community health workers, promotion of acupuncture and herbal medicine use, conduct of medical missions and counselling of mental patients especially in disaster-affected, epidemic-stricken and/or militarized communities, among others.
CHESTCORE would like to share the following article written by one of its staff. Pamela B. Patal-e, is a community health nurse who volunteered with CHESTCORE in 2009 and is now a staff of the organization.
CHESTCORE welcomes donations and other forms of support for its work. CHESTCORE may be reached through telephone- 074-4422572, email- chestcore_inc@yahoo.com , or facebook- Chestcore Cordillera.
IN THE EYES OF SERVICE (Reflections of a community health nurse)
In these modern times, to earn money is a must in order to survive, to provide for our families, and to establish an acceptable position in our society. It is a sad thought that being a nurse today is more synonymous with earning than with service to others. In today’s reality, we cannot serve two masters at the same time, which means we must give up a chance at luxury for the call of duty.
What can you do for someone who cannot repay you? This question has been echoing in my mind for quite some time now. I have struggled many times to answer the question. I have had doubts whether I can stay on this path I have chosen. Have I made the right decision? Why do many oppose my present stand?
I have chosen to be a community health nurse. My activities in a non-government organization (NGO) have included community integration (living with the people to better understand their lives), community diagnosis (conducting house-to-house surveys to get facts about the local health situation), training of community health workers, provision of medical services, and health advocacy (discussing health-related issues with health science students and health professionals).
Serving in indigent communities has made me feel like I have been transported into another dimension of reality and yet it has also felt like going back home. Our feet are bruised from hours of hiking to remote rural communities. The areas are often out of the coverage area of cell phone signal; electricity is not available, and we sleep on hard beds at night. What satisfies me are the simplest things — to wake up to the scent of burnt charcoal and brewed coffee, to eat with bare hands, to be given the rare chance to eat wild pig and native chicken for dinner, to be amazed by the wonders of nature, and to be counted as a member of the family and of the community.
Our interaction with the farmers of the Cordillera Region has brought me many experiences of companionship. Community folk make us laugh. They teach us many things we never knew, make us do things we have never done, and immerse us in a life far from the hospitals where we trained. They show us how to be more thankful of what we have. They let us grow, let us learn, and share with us memories that are worth keeping. Even their slightest smile and timid “thank you” fill me with so much fulfillment.
There have been experiences though that has brought us outside our comfort zone. There is still a deep mark in my memory when we lived for one month with the people of Lubuagan, Kalinga to experience firsthand their way of life. We conducted home visits to some sick community members. We spent time in the fields to gather beans for lunch and another day for rice planting. Present with us in the community were soldiers of the Philippine Army who often followed us around, suspicious of our activities. We did not feel secure in their presence. It angers me that even we who give it all for community service are equated to rebels, health services are labeled as a terrorist act. Somehow, I felt a little lighter knowing that I was just going to live there for a month, but how about the community folk who will be left behind?
My thoughts also linger on those moments when we conducted a Community Health Workers’ Training in Pinukpuk, Kalinga. Many of the participants from different sitios were not able to attend, while those who did found it hard to focus on the lectures. Again, the Philippine Army was present in the community and some of the soldiers were assigned to sit in during the training. The community was endangered by the military’s presence as they may be caught in any crossfire that may occur. This is also a clear violation of the community (people)’s rights to go about their daily activities without fear or monitoring by the military.
It is in these situations that we find the bravest in ourselves. We also find security in the people’s organizations that stand with us. Thus, we choose no other way but to continue to live for the people and to give our best even in the most challenging times — no matter what threat lies ahead.
Working in the community has given me many experiences and fulfillment. Somehow, our lives with the people make a difference and we marked a change when we stayed and answered the true call of duty by working in the community. Indeed, the beauty of serving is in serving itself.
I have also realized that I have a greater commitment and responsibility as I move forward. My commitment as a community health nurse is merely the start. I have realized that in order to eliminate health inequity — to make health care accessible, affordable, and responsive to people’s needs – social inequity must also be eliminated. The people’s struggle for better health and a better life lies in their own hands. Health is both a right and a responsibility. If we are empowered, we have the capacity to do something, the courage to overcome the most difficult problems, the confidence and self-reliance to do things on our own to contribute and share for a better future. This is the biggest challenge that I face — to take a greater part in the struggle to bring about social change.
To leave or to be left behind
When change is a continuous struggle
We pause, rest, and think for a while
To be firm on a decision is but inevitable
We have to be strong and make a stand
We have to fall and discern at times
We have to fight for all that is right
Others die so we cannot lose sight
To depend or to defend
In a struggle not yet won
To be a part and do it right
To make the change and never be left behind
Where we must be tomorrow is a struggle to be won.