Tzu Chi's 9th Free Medical Mission for the poor patients on Batam Island, Indonesia

Taiwan Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation (Tzu Chi), together with members from its subsidiary Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), has provided free medical care for the poor of Batam Island, Indonesia. Volunteers of Malaysia and Singapore have regularly provided free medical services in remote areas of Indonesia since 2000. They refer severe cases to Malaysia or Singapore for further treatment, often covering their full expenses.

On 9 March 2007, Tzu Chi volunteers of Indonesia and Singapore carried out its 9th Free Medical Mission on Batam Island, Indonesia, offering consultations in surgery, internal medicine, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ophthalmology, and optometric services (free eye exam and glasses).

This year, the clinic was split into two locations, with one specifically for surgery. Held over three days, the clinic received support from over 450 volunteers and medical professionals from Singapore, Malaysia, and Batam, serving over 4000 patients.

One patient, a 6-year-old girl named Meisya, has beautiful big eyes. But her lip is crooked to one side, and her left ear is unusually small with botryoidal sarcomas (a tumor shaped like grape clusters) along the rim of the ear. She always feels inferior because of her exceptional appearance. Her mother, Mariana, 32 years old, insisted on coming all the way from Tanjung Pinang to seek treatment for her daughter’s condition despite being pregnancy.

Attended by Dr. Wu, a plastic surgeon, Meisya underwent three hours of surgery that was more complicated than most, as her facial nerves needed extra care. Looking at her soundly sleeping daughter, her mother’s eyes were full with tears. Meisya would always ask her mother why her two sisters look normal, but why she looks different from others. Her mother’s heart ached every time Meisya asked that same question. She wanted to bring Meisya to seek treatment, but as workers in the informal sector, her husband hardly earned enough for their daily meals, let alone an operation. When Meisya woke up, her life could begin anew.

Many similar stories take place at the Tzu Chi free medical missions around the world. Tzu Chi volunteers and TIMA members provide free medical services for people living in rural areas who cannot afford medical treatment. They devote their time and energy to protect the health of people who are denied proper medical treatment.