An Edmonton-based doctor who has been assisting with relief efforts in the Philippines following typhoon Haiyan said they have been able to treat hundreds of patients.
Dr. Rashin Chin has said despite some initial issues, the Canadian Medical Assistance Teams (CMAT) trip has been a success.
“We had some issues with our hospital being stuck behind customs.”
Chin explained they then changed their mission into more of a mobile medical team.
“We basically have our team deploy every morning in a van to rural communities, villages whose homes were completely destroyed. Those tend to be the people with the most need because they can’t get to the cities.”
On some days they would send out two mobile teams, reaching about 300 patients a day.
Although he has assisted in disaster areas before, Chin said it was still a lot to take in.
“You have to fully get used to the entirety of it all, when you see whole families with no roofs over their heads.
“You get a real sense of what the people are facing when you go right into their homes.”
He said most Filipinos had gotten over the initial shock of the typhoon by the time he arrived.
“They were true survivors and they were looking towards the future with hope and ready to rebuild.”
However, Chin said the country still faced challenges.
“Other issues are ongoing. The need for shelter, for electricity, a power grid to be put back up, for nutrition, to get the schools back running, the education system all those things will be ongoing battles but the medical need is totally being taken care of.”
The team will be heading back to Canada on Monday.
With files from Amanda Anderson
