03/12/2025
𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔: 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄
𝐋𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄
𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴: 𝘋𝘳. 𝘕𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘳. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰
On November 4, 2025, a 𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 "𝗧𝗶𝗻𝗼" 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, leaving 2 million Filipinos affected. This includes our humble Brgy. Paknaan, Mandaue where there are approximately 30 000 people living in it. The Butuanon and Cansaga River overflowed during the torrents of rain, flooding its riverbanks. Many zones besides the riverbank were affected such as Sili, Talong, Sibuyas, Ahos, Tangkong, Sayote, Paliya and Carrots. People in these areas found themselves without clean water, food and electricity. They find themselves wading in the dark brown muddy waters in their areas, picking themselves up after the typhoon struck.
In response to the community’s growing risk of leptospirosis, the Department of Family and Community Medicine of Cebu Velez General Hospital—together with senior clerks rotating in preventive and community medicine with the leadership of Dr. Niña Venice O. Rosales, Dr. Maria Preciosa Bustillo, Dr. Rez Gioz Apego, and Dr. Don Francois Noel under the guidance of Dr. Annely Jane Celocia—organized Bangon Cebu: A Call To Care Leptospirosis Clinic and relief operations aimed at serving 300 residents.
Before proceeding with the planned relief operation, the team conducted a needs assessment to identify the community’s most urgent requirements. We coordinated with the Barangay officials, particularly the coordinator of the Brgy. Disaster Risk Management Team, to discuss community needs, assess the feasibility of our plans, and gather recommendations for the activity. We also requested support with security, chairs, and tents. The assessment confirmed that the community’s top priorities were safe drinking water, rice, canned goods, and clothing. In response, a donation drive was launched on November 6, 2025, with the support of CIM student organizations—AMSP, AMSA-SOMA, and TORCH. An infographic poster was created and widely shared on the social media pages of CIM-CMSS, CSC Calvaria, partner organizations, and the organizers to maximize outreach.
Over four days, the donation drive received overwhelming support. We raised ₱28,100 in monetary donations and collected 10 boxes of doxycycline (1,000 capsules) from the Philippine College of Physicians through Dr. Consolacion Cutillar and Dr. Catherine Rose Ti, 280 capsules from the Taguba family, and 500 capsules from AMSP—bringing the total to 1,780 capsules. Additionally, our Family Medicine consultants extended their support by providing hygiene kits along with 170 bottles of 500 mL water, 60 bottles of C2, and 60 bottles of 5L water. Student organizations also responded generously, contributing assorted clothing, canned goods, and a large supply of water and rice. Their combined donations included 4 sacks of rice, 520 bottles of 1L water, 22 bottles of 10L water, 135 bottles of 5L water, and 90 bottles of 6.6L water—a total of 767 bottles. Because of this collective effort, we were able to expand our capacity and serve approximately 450 individuals.
On November 7, 2025, a planning meeting for the Leptospirosis Clinic and Relief Operations was held to ensure a smooth implementation of the mission. The meeting was attended by the community resident representatives of the Department of Family and Community Medicine together with senior clerks, and representatives from the student organizations AMSP, AMSA-SOMA, and TORCH. Discussions focused on the logistics, patient flow, distribution of goods, and coordination with volunteers. The team also planned strategies for participant gathering, and community engagement.
The Leptospirosis Clinic took place on November 10, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NN. Volunteers included resident physicians from the Department of Family and Community Medicine, post-graduate interns, senior clerks, student organization members, and faculty of the department. The mission began with visits to flood-affected zones to inform residents about the clinic and encourage participation. Despite heavy rain, a long line quickly formed outside CIM-CMSS, demonstrating the eagerness and need of the community to access both medications and relief items.
Upon arrival, patients first registered, then proceeded to the hygiene, water and goods stations to receive hygiene kits, clean drinking water, rice, and canned goods. They were then triaged according to their risk of leptospirosis. Low-risk individuals received 2 capsules of doxycycline if exposed within 48–72 hours; moderate-risk patients, often with wounds or direct exposure to floodwater, were given a 3-day course; and high-risk patients, who had prolonged exposure to contaminated water, were advised to take 2 capsules weekly for three weeks. All patients received their first dose on-site, ensuring immediate prophylaxis.
Following medication administration, patients were guided to the Post-Treatment Observation area, where they were observed for 10–15 minutes and shown an educational video on leptospirosis. The video, created by the senior clerks themselves, covered the disease’s causes, symptoms, risk factors, and preventive measures, particularly emphasizing the dangers of wading in floodwater and the importance of early prophylaxis in Cebuano. This approach not only provided treatment but also strengthened community awareness and health .
By the end of the Leptospirosis Clinic and Relief Operations, a total of 443 patients were served, with 26.6% high-risk, 26.4% moderate-risk, and 26.1% low-risk. Most patients came from flood-prone zones near the Butuan River, including Ahos (135 patients), Sibuyas (88 patients), and Sili (54 patients). These numbers highlight the vulnerability of certain areas and the importance of continued community health interventions.
The success of Bangon Cebu: A Call to Care Leptospirosis Clinic and Relief Operations was made possible by the dedication of volunteers, faculty, senior clerks, student organizations, and generous donors who provided medications, water, and relief goods. Their efforts allowed the team to reach more individuals than planned while fostering community solidarity. We extend our deepest gratitude, as their support ensured the clinic not only treated patients but also educated and empowered the community to prevent future disease.
