The co-chairs of the Loyal Alliance for Medical Missions to the Philippines (LAMP), the humanitarian arm of the Filipino United Network– USA, met at the Chicago Downtown Marriott September 30, 2012, with
Philippine Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, who was conferred Honorary Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons at its 98th annual convention in Chicago.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, and Daniel Fabito, MD, FACS, FPCS, co-chairs of LAMP, were apprised by Sec. Ona that the DOH, the Professional Regulatory Commission and the Commission on Filipinos
Overseas were addressing the complaints of medical missionaries about red tapes and bureaucratic hurdles, and overly-stringent PRCS regulations for medical missionaries to the Philippines.
Dr. Ona promised to streamline the guidelines for medical missions to make it easier for medical missionaries coming to the country to minister to the healthcare needs of the poor Filipinos. He wants to expand the medical missions by inviting missionaries to join the “Adopt-A-Hospital” program of the DOH. Dr. Ona also plans to provide universal healthcare through the PhilHealth Insurance Program.
More than fifty medical leaders and missionaries, many of them members of the Filipino United Network and the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America, signed a Manifesto of support to the endeavors of the DOH, PRCS and CFO, and a pledge to help in the development and reconstruction of the Philippines.
LAMP is spearheading a delegation to present the Manifesto to Philippine President Benigno S. C. Aquino III during an audience with him in February 2013.