PIO HOME

PROVIDING QUALITY MEDICAL CARE

Remarks of CG, PAF Lt Gen Oscar H Rabena AFP

AFGH Anniversary 16 Sept 2009

Amenities…

During the war, there was a story about a German army surgeon who had a very unfortunate experience with a young soldier with most of his face blown off in the Russian Front. The surgeon went to work for many days to repair the face as best he could through a series of skin transplants and the like. In the final phase of the surgery, the doctor seamed together the remaining corner of the patient’s mouth. Because the anesthesia still kept the pain at bay, the doctor told him, “Now let’s hear you say something with that mouth”. The young soldier moved his lips carefully into a smile and formulated his first words: “thank you”.

I am certain that as medical practitioner, your expectations are no less the same as that of the German surgeon – that is to ultimately hear the sweetest response you can ever receive from a well and pleased patient. More significantly, in many other cases, those words of gratitude fully affirm their satisfaction and sincere gratitude on the kind of services you have rendered to them.

Your profession is a truly fulfilling one because it tries to satisfy man’s primordial need to preserve himself. Your goal of providing the best medical treatment to ease a patient’s physical and emotional suffering or perhaps even save him from death and add a new lease to his life is of the noblest bearing. Your patients look up to you as their only hope and God’s instruments for their survival.

So today, ladies and gentlemen, in recognition of this noble role that you have chosen, we take stock of our Philippine Air Force’s continues compassion and charity as we celebrate the 31^st Foundation Anniversary of the Philippine Air Force General Hospital – one of the key players in PAF’s social and moral obligation of looking after the medical and health needs of our servicemen, their dependents and civilians that belong to our organization.

Today is likewise a day to remember how this medical institution was able to survive and establish itself as an integral part of the growth and development of the whole Air Force Family in the midst of varied constraints. To live up fully to its mandate, it is manned by expert medical practitioners and competent men and women who effectively give quality health care services.

On a national scale, you play a very important role in the PAF’s socio economic support role in reaching out to our less privileged fellowmen especially in far-flung areas. You have been our consistent social agents in bringing to them the hope and inspiration of professional soldiers carrying not arms but representations of goodwill through medical missions and other civic-military activities.

It has been emphasized, in more than just a few occasions the thrust of our present PAF administration - to be In STEP and to always keep IN STEP, in providing our people better and more responsive services in the different areas. Needless to say, included in it is the improvement of health and medical services, particularly our hospitals, which cater to the masses, hence I am pleased with all the improvements that are very evident here. In fact, I see your working theme for this year’s anniversary: “Serving with Skill and Fidelity”, firmly asserts your standing commitment for the years ahead. And I am sure that you have done the same in the past by providing your clientele with the best possible care.

Ngayon at sa mga susunod pang panahon, ang inyong paglilingkod ay ganap na kailangan ng nakakarami nating mga kasama sa serbisyo upang kanila ding maihatid ang mararapat na pagsisilbi sa ating mga mamamayan tungo sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Ako’y nagagalak dahil sa nakalipas na panahon inyo itong natugunan ng buong puso at sa lubos ng inyong makakaya! Palakpakan ninyo ang inyong sarili, I am proud of you all ! (applause)

Admittedly, our hospitals are still lacking with new and modern medical equipment to complement its ever-increasing number of clients and to respond effectively to various and more complicated illnesses and diseases today. Nevertheless, by taking things one step at a time, tingnan ninyo at mayroon na kayong 2D Echo Machine, Ultrasound and Bactec, and with the procurement process still underway, I am indeed hopeful that, in no time at all, we will be able to address all your needs and we can be at par with the modern and posh private hospitals in the metropolis.

However, while we continue to project modernization of our health facilities, we must never lose track of the perpetual importance of quality services not necessarily technical in nature. Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of higher intention, sincer effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. Gone are the days when our hospitals kept their patients waiting while attending to some trivial matters. It is my earnest hope that with your pronounced improved health service delivery, you will keep our patients on top priority because they are basically the reason for your existence. Emulate the likes of the German surgeon whose selfless dedication and deep compassion had given hope and added a new meaning to the lives of those people who are experiencing difficulty and pain. Always remember that what you do, result to what was said in the book of Hebrews, and I quote, “Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath; it is called “the rejoicing of hope”.

With that, my warmest felicitations again to the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of PAFGH as you celebrate your unit’s birthday. To all the awardees, congratulations, and may the awards you have just received continue to inspire you to accomplish more even as I urge every member of this unit, as well, to continually contribute their humble share for the sake of our organization.

Mabuhay kayo at magandang umaga sa inyong lahat!