Despite Bago City's recovery from the effects of Typhoon Verbena, one thing was clear: the humble desire to serve.
Despite challenging weather and logistical obstacles, the AMA Education System (AMAES) participated in the second leg of the national Lab for All initiative in Negros Occidental, continuing its commitment to community healthcare. The medical mission treated almost 1,500 people in Bago City, many of whom came from disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. They waited in line for treatment as well as care and assurance.
The initiative was led by the AMA School of Medicine and included medical volunteers from AMA Computer College Bacolod. Doctors and medical students provided free consultations, basic diagnostic tests, and timely medical advice during a period when access to health services was especially limited.
These tiny but crucial initiatives prioritized early identification and preventative care. Under the direction of First Lady Louise Liza Araneta-Marcos, the exercise was part of Lab for All, a nationwide healthcare program that seeks to give communities access to essential medical services. The project in Bago City was implemented in cooperation with the Department of Health and other governmental agencies to ensure that the services rendered were in accordance with national health priorities.
Beyond the numbers, the mission reflected a deeper philosophy embedded within AMAES one that places education and service side by side. Medical students were not merely observers; they were active participants, gaining firsthand experience in community-based healthcare, inter-agency collaboration, and crisis-context response. For many, it was a formative encounter with the realities of public health beyond the classroom.
During the activity, the First Lady expressed her appreciation for the continued support of Amable R. Aguiluz V and Amable C. Aguiluz IX, acknowledging their sustained involvement in advancing the goals of Lab for All. Their leadership has helped reinforce the role of private educational institutions in national healthcare efforts, particularly in reaching communities often left on the margins.
By the end, the medical mission had accomplished more than just prescribing drugs and conducting consultations. It brought to light a concept that is particularly relevant during difficult times: education and service together can be a potent tool for advancing national development.
AMAES and its volunteers' presence in Bago City provided as a reminder that, even in the face of uncertainty and disaster recovery, resilient healthcare still needs compassion and purpose.
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