Posted February 28, 2002. Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. graduated from the College of Medicine in 1989 with aspirations of becoming a surgeon. During his first year of surgical residency training, he noticed that a lot of people were being operated on during the more advanced stage of the disease or where complications have already set in. This prompted Kadil to quit residency to join public health as a Municipal Health Officer in his hometown of Cotabato. He would eventually quit the government to devote all his time to charity work.

     The reason should be obvious to you and me - nobody told these folks about their affliction in the early stages. A simple advice from a medical professional, which is virtually non-existent in the outskirts of the country, is more than enough to avoid these palliative and desperate procedures. You see cases like these everyday in your clinic, in the emergency room and in the service wards. This makes Kadil's efforts even more significant and remarkable. He is doing something about it.

     Physicians have long provided care to the medically indigent for free or at reduced rates. Along with hospitals, health centers, free clinics and medical missions, they are all part of the country's medical safety net and their continued commitment to providing charity work is important to the medically indigent. However, Dr. Sinolinding and others who provide charity care on a full-time basis to those who really need them are a rare breed. Add to this our lawmakers' inability to come up with a real policy to address the medical needs of the poor, the doctors' continued reluctance to practice in the rural areas due mainly to personal safety and low pay, and the continued escalation of the cost of medicine, and the government's inability to provide them for free - you'll see more and more of these "end-stage" cases.

"In the end when we die, our work will be remembered on how it affected the lives of the many, and it shall be followed with pride and honor."

     Kadil's experience in the field as a Municipal Health Officer served as an eye-opener to him on the sad plight of the poor people in the villages. There are no medicines, no social services, poor sanitation and malnutrition. "They have almost nothing but misery and the will to survive," he wrote. Solving these problems were my first challenges."

     While working for the government, Kadil trained in Ophthalmology at UP-PGH under the Modified Residency Training Program with the Department of Health. He finished residency and passed the diplomate exam of the Philippine Board of Ophthalmology in 1996.

Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. (1989), (third from left), poses with the award for The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) for 2001 in the field of Humanitarian and Voluntary Leadership by the Junior Chamber International on November 6, 2001 at the Palu de la Musica Catalana, Barcelona, Spain.

     "I was encouraged to take up Ophthalmology because my grandmother got needlessly blind," he wrote on his choice of specialty. "The family couldn't afford to pay for the services of an eye doctor. The diagnosis was Glaucoma secondary to hypermature cataract, OU. Because of that, I made myself a promise that no one whom I have seen will go blind just because they are poor."

     Kadil quit his government post to concentrate fully on charity work. He is currently working with the blind people of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the "Vision 20/20 Cataract Charities" Project. He said that he still has a lot of places to visit and will appreciate any help from volunteers. When I e-mailed him for this column, he was doing his work in Lanao del Sur, 'around the area of Lake Lanao'. He is scheduled to conduct free cataract surgeries to the indigents of Jordan, Guimaras and surrounding areas on April 21 to 25 with the help of local eye surgeons.

     Kadil's efforts have not gone unnoticed. He's been a recipient of many awards and recognitions. Among the most publicized:

1. Outstanding Alumnus of the WVSU College of Medicine in the Field of Public Health - Grand Reunion of WVSU College of Medicine at Sarabia Manor Hotel on Sept 22, 1999.
2. The Oustanding Young Men (TOYM) for 2000 in the field of Rural Medicine, by the Philippine Jaycees, Gerry Roxas Foundation, and the E-PCIB Foundation - December 14, 2000 at Malacañang Palace, Manila.
3. The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) for 2001 in the field of Humanitarian and Voluntary Leadership by the Junior Chamber International - November 6, 2001 at the Palu dela Musica Catalana, Barcelona, Spain.
4. Rizal Award for Rural Physicians (RARP) - November 7, 1997 at the Manila Hotel. Given by Hoechst, Phil Public Health Association, and Order of the Knights of Rizal.

     Kadil concentrates most of his efforts in the south, a place he refers to as 'the forsaken land' where the people's health concerns are not only neglected but also as a result of the present conflict between the Philippine government and the Abu Sayyaf.

     Kadil is married to the former Ma. Elena Paz Unson. They have three kids - Josh, Thianne, and adopted son, Khalil.

     Finally, I asked him if he has a message for us, his fellow alumni: "There's nothing much I can tell them except to be true to themselves. Life is what we want to preserve and improve, so be it. Let us be the vehicle for moralistic medical advancement for the glory of the majority, and not just for personal gratification. In the end when we die, our work will be remembered on how it affected the lives of the many, and It shall be followed with pride and honor. "

     Indeed, Kadil rhymes with Charity.

     Dr. Sinolinding accepts donation of any kind - goods, toys, medicines, cash, etc. to help the children victims of the war in Mindanao. You may send your donations to: Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, Zenaida Subdivision, Rosary Heights 8, Cotabato City, Philippines.

     There will be a free cataract surgical mission on April 21 to 25, 2002 at Jordan, Guimaras. This is sponsored by the WE Care Project of the Jaycees in which Kadil is a permanent volunteer surgeon. This is intended only for the very poor people of the region who couldn't afford the usual cataract surgery fee. Interested parties may contact Dr. Liplip Nava (Class 1989), Mayor of Jordan, Dr. Jeremy Saquian (Class 1989), or any member of the Jaycees in the area. You can call Kadil at 0918-5322110 or e-mail him at drkajosinolinding@yahoo.com.

University Medical Center?

     Try calling the University Hospital these days and you'll probably hear the operator say, "University Medical Center....". Was the name changed? Dr. Ceasar Gardose (1988) e-mailed me about this a couple of weeks ago but he qualified that he's not sure and I need to ask somebody who might know. I am still waiting for my Iloilo correspondent, who since the day he agreed to do the job six months ago hasn't sent me a single e-mail. I also e-mailed the hospital management a month ago requesting for an e-mail interview but I got no response. I respect their "no-interview" stance and that's no big deal. Anyway, if anybody out there can please e-mail me regarding this, I'd appreciate it very much. You may use the form below.

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     The author's e-mail address is at drgarcia@wvsumedaa.com

     All views expressed on this column and any other by-lined articles on this site are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization or its members. For comments, please e-mail the author.