Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines

Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines The Buddhist Tzu Chi Eye Center Philippines is a non-profit ambulatory surgical clinic for the poor. At that time, Hualien was undeveloped and impoverished.
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About Tzu Chi

Tzu Chi is a non-profit charitable organization founded by the Buddhist nun Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Hualien, Taiwan in 1966. The master and her disciples sewed baby shoes, made candles and encouraged their followers to save 0.30 NT$ every day for charity. During her charity visits, Dharma Master Cheng Yen realized that many families became poor due to illness or vice versa. She concluded that, to end poverty, illness needed to be taken care of first. She founded a free clinic in 1972 which provided medical services to the poor twice a week and then set out to build a hospital. Today, the Master’s compassion has resulted in the establishment of seven Tzu Chi hospitals across Taiwan. Shortly after a local Tzu Chi chapter was established in the Philippines in 1995, a group of Tzu Chi volunteers and local doctors held a free clinic in Baguio. Thus begun Tzu Chi’s medical work in the country. In 2007, the Tzu Chi Clinic was established in Bacood, Sta. Mesa. It offered free dental and eye care services to indigent patients from across the Philippines. In 2016, the establishment underwent renovation and was renamed to Tzu Chi Eye Center. Today, it is a three-floor structure that features four operating rooms that are equipped with the most advanced ophthalmic technology, and diagnostic rooms as well as a roster of ophthalmologists from a variety of sub specializations. In 2019, the Tzu Chi Eye Center received its accreditation from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

"While thrift is a virtue, spending money on a worthy case generates greater virtue."
25/09/2025

"While thrift is a virtue, spending money on a worthy case generates greater virtue."

24/09/2025

When Galileo Garcia’s sight faded from cataracts and Marietta Rodrin’s health declined, the couple, who were not blessed with children, had only each other to lean on. Their misery was compounded by the dire state of their home. Stepping in, the Tzu Chi Eye Center team went above and beyond, not only restoring Galileo’s clear eyesight but also transforming their house into a safe and comfortable home.

Because of Tropical Storm Nando and the Southwest monsoon (Habagat) that are currently affecting the Philippines, the Tz...
23/09/2025

Because of Tropical Storm Nando and the Southwest monsoon (Habagat) that are currently affecting the Philippines, the Tzu Chi Eye Center initially expected few—if any—patients to arrive today. However, despite the heavy rains and flooding in some areas, many patients still showed up, determined not to miss their scheduled eye surgeries and consultations. Fourteen patients were on the list for operations today and all are eager to regain their sight and return to normal life. The Eye Center could not disappoint those who had been long waiting for the chance to recover their vision. Thus, amid the poor weather condition, the doctors, volunteers, and staff of the Tzu Chi Eye Center also reported for duty, working hand in hand to serve 164 patients with comprehensive consultations and follow-up check-ups.

Dr. Jacqueline Mupas-Uy traveled a long way from Tagaytay despite the inclement weather to conduct surgeries and consultations. Together with Dr. Peter Lee, Dr. Jessica Daza, Dr. Marco Figueras, and Dr. Cathleen Villafuerte, they provided needed consultations and surgical procedures for patients suffering from orbit, cornea, and glaucoma diseases.

As Master Cheng Yen said, when duty calls, we must not retreat. To serve others with compassion is to bring light where there is darkness.

"When we say a word that makes others happy, they will naturally give us their blessings."
21/09/2025

"When we say a word that makes others happy, they will naturally give us their blessings."

In 2022, the Tzu Chi Eye Center and the Dagupan City government began a partnership to provide quality surgical care to ...
19/09/2025

In 2022, the Tzu Chi Eye Center and the Dagupan City government began a partnership to provide quality surgical care to underprivileged residents. Since its inception, this collaboration has resulted in 472 eye surgeries and provided 4,662 patients with comprehensive consultations.

On September 14, the Tzu Chi Eye Center team — composed of eight volunteer doctors, seven medical volunteers, 43 non-medical volunteers, and 40 staff — made the four-hour journey to Dagupan to conduct another large-scale medical outreach. An advance team had already arrived a day earlier, on September 13, to set up a makeshift clinic at the CSI Stadia. With four volunteer ophthalmologists present, they conducted follow-up consultations for patients who had undergone surgery on August 30 and early September 6, while also accommodating new patients.

In total, the two-day outreach served 1,169 patients. Of these, 318 needed cataract surgeries and 115 needed other surgical and laser procedures. The City government will provide the required laboratory and diagnostic tests, pre-surgery medical clearances, and transportation to Tzu Chi Eye Center in Sta. Mesa, Manila, for the patients’ operations.

Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez noted that the high turnout at the annual outreach reflects the great need for this service in their city. As a result, the mayor added, hundreds of residents immediately register for checkups whenever the government announces that Tzu Chi is coming. “The love that Tzu Chi has shown has given every less-privileged patient in our city hope,” Mayor Fernandez said.

For three years now, the care and compassion from Tzu Chi Eye Center and Dagupan City government have not only been helping Dagupeños see a better tomorrow, but are also building a future where every resident will have an equal opportunity to look toward their dreams with confidence and hope. As Dharma Master Cheng Yen puts it: “We should care for and be considerate of one another. If we join our hearts together, we can achieve great things for the world.”

READ FULL STORY: https://medium.com//the-hope-love-inspires-in-dagupan-979555408772

18/09/2025

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Robert Sy, Vice President of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines, led a team of volunteer surgeons in performing minor operations at the Tzu Chi recycling station in Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City. It benefitted disadvantaged patients suffering from benign cysts and warts. The project aimed to minimize risk of patients going to hospitals during the pandemic. However, as more patients showed dire need for such services, the team decided to continue the project.

On June 28, they found a new venue at the Tzu Chi Eye Center. Volunteers and staff transformed one of the Eye Center’s consultation rooms into a bustling minor surgical theater. Three operating tables were set up, allowing volunteer surgeons Dr. Timoteo Yu, Dr. Anthony Lim, and Dr. Sy to simultaneously perform operations for a total of 22 patients.

"Life becomes meaningful when we take responsibilities. Avoiding responsibilities makes our life empty and meaningless."...
18/09/2025

"Life becomes meaningful when we take responsibilities. Avoiding responsibilities makes our life empty and meaningless."

“If I were to lose my vision completely, then maybe I would have to learn to accept it. My daughter, too, eventually cam...
17/09/2025

“If I were to lose my vision completely, then maybe I would have to learn to accept it. My daughter, too, eventually came to terms with that possibility,” shared 65-year-old Emily Hamsain from Tondo, Manila.

Emily had previously undergone cataract surgery on her left eye, but her vision remained poor and later worsened into retinal detachment. In search of answers, she consulted nearly five hospitals, yet each visit left her disappointed. With the threat of permanent blindness looming, she found herself surrendering to whatever outcome might come.

Still, she held on to one wish — to receive treatment that would restore her sight and allow her to return to the work she loves and has passionately devoted herself to — serving the people as a government employee at Manila City Hall.

Then one day, while their way home from an eye consultation, the taxi driver told them: “You should go to Tzu Chi Eye Center. My sister’s vision was restored there, and the operation was completely free.”

As soon as they arrived home, Emily and her daughter contacted Tzu Chi Eye Center. Emily patiently waited for her schedule, and when she received a reply, she was overjoyed.

Emily admitted that she had nearly lost hope, feeling discouraged after visiting many hospitals, yet seeing no improvement in her condition. But when she came to the Tzu Chi Eye Center, retina specialist Dr. Carlo asked her only one simple question - if she’s willing to undergo the operation.

“This has always been my dream: to restore my eyesight, return to my normal life, and continue serving the community of Tondo, Manila. Why would I hesitate?’ I immediately answered Dr. Carlo, ‘Yes, Doc! I want to have the surgery!’”

After the successful operation, Emily has reported back to her job at the Manila City Hall. She brought her Tzu Chi coin can with her. Moved by her story, many of her co-workers willingly added their contributions to the coin can on her desk, quickly filling it. Emily was overjoyed — she realized that not only had Tzu Chi’s teachings touched her life, but she had also inspired others to sow seeds of kindness.

"How we feel depends on how we look at things."
14/09/2025

"How we feel depends on how we look at things."

"Only by actively giving of ourselves can we create positive meaning in our lives."
11/09/2025

"Only by actively giving of ourselves can we create positive meaning in our lives."

Last Friday, Reynelia Angeles visited the Tzu Chi Eye Center in Sta. Mesa, Manila not to undergo a checkup but to pay it...
10/09/2025

Last Friday, Reynelia Angeles visited the Tzu Chi Eye Center in Sta. Mesa, Manila not to undergo a checkup but to pay it forward. The 73-year-old widow brought a coin bank, heavy with her donations and some snacks for her surgeon, Dr. Catherine Fernandez.

This was the third coin bank that Reynelia had filled and turned over since she started undergoing treatment at the Tzu Chi Eye Center last year. She had undergone cataract surgeries in both eyes. Now with her clear eyesight, the retired government employee could look after her grandchildren and do the house chores.

"I appreciate very much Tzu Chi's help. Their service is excellent, especially my lovely surgeon, Dr. Fernandez," Reynelia said. "Tzu Chi Eye Center provides everything you need - even the eye drop medicines, which are very expensive. This Eye Center is such a blessing to the people," she said.

Recently, Reynelia saw the Tzu Chi Eye Center on national television because of a partnership project with GMA Kapuso Foundation. Worried that more patients will be trooping to the Eye Center after this public exposure, she decided to bring her coin bank as soon as she could.

"I am sure that the number of patients will increase even more," Reynelia said. "Although my donations seem small, it can still help especially when joined with other donations."

Before leaving, she took home three more coin banks and vowed to continue donating. "I will keep saving donations in the coin bank even after I stop being a patient because I want to help. I may be poor but I still have something to give," she said.

𝑨 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍. - 𝑱𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒊 𝑨𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎

Address

1000 Cordillera Street Corner Lubiran Street, Bacood, Sta. Mesa
Manila
1016

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Website

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