Medical Santo

07/03/2026

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day 💜 and the incredible women who are the heart of our organisation. The majority of our staff and volunteers are women, and we are so grateful for their passion, strength and dedication 🌸✨

This year’s theme, When we give, we gain, reminds us that generosity creates growth 🌱 When we give our time, support, knowledge and encouragement, we open more doors and create more opportunities for women to thrive 🤝💡

Giving is not about losing something — it’s about building something bigger together. When women thrive, we all rise 🌍💜

Let’s continue to give, support and uplift one another — today and every day.

04/03/2026

Chief's Day Public Holiday – Thursday

Please note that the clinic will be CLOSED on Thursday in observance of Chief's Day.

We will resume normal operations the following day.

Thank you for your understanding.
Stay safe and enjoy the holiday! 💙

02/03/2026

🌧️ Rainy season = Higher risk of Leptospirosis!

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread by rats. It can live in floodwater, mud, and dirty water.

🐶 Pets can get sick from drinking or walking in dirty water.
👨‍👩‍👧 People can get sick if dirty water touches open wounds.

⚠️ Signs to watch for:
• Fever 🤒
• Headache 🤕
• Muscle pain 💪
• Vomiting or diarrhea 🤢
• Weakness 😓

❗ If not treated early, it can damage the kidneys or liver.

💙 Stay alert. Stay safe.

🌧️ We are in the rainy season and so is the risk of Leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a disease spread by bacteria commonly carried by rats. It can be found in floodwater, mud, and contaminated water.

🐶 Pets can get infected by drinking or walking in dirty water.

👨‍👩‍👧 People can get infected through open wounds or contact with contaminated water.

⚠️ Common symptoms:
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Weakness
If not treated early, it can cause serious kidney or liver damage.

💙 Stay informed. Stay alert. Stay safe.

01/03/2026

Dengue can be prevented.

Aedes mosquito can breed in very small amounts of still water. Check your home every week and remove any standing water to keep your family safe.

Stay alert. Stop dengue.

Dengue is preventable.

Aedes mosquitoes can breed in even a small amount of stagnant water. Simple weekly actions can protect your family.

Protect. Prevent. Stop Dengue.

25/02/2026

✨ Throwback Thursday – Where Are They Now? ✨

Ever wonder where our past volunteers end up — and whether their time with us stays with them? ❤️

Today’s throwback is Costa (2014), one of our incredible volunteer paramedics 🙌🚑

During his time with Medical Santo, Costa provided general patient care, assisted with an emergency evacuation, and worked side-by-side with a volunteer doctor and our local team. And yes — even a few unexpected dental emergencies found their way in 😬🦷 (not usually in the Medical Santo job description, but teamwork makes it work!)

Recently, after seeing a photo of our old clinic, Costa shared:
“I remember this building fondly. What a great experience working with Angus and the local team.” 💙

We love hearing that these experiences stay with our volunteers long after they’ve left — and that they continue to follow, support, and encourage the work we do 🌍🤝

👩‍⚕️🚑 Interested in volunteering with us?
We’re always looking for passionate health professionals — email volunteers@medicalsanto.com

🙏 Thank you, Costa, for your skill, flexibility, and for continuing to be such a genuine encouragement to Medical Santo. Once part of the family, always part of the family ❤️

💙 Want to support the work Costa and our volunteers care so deeply about?
You can donate by following the link in the comments.

💙👏

23/02/2026

We’re proud to share an update from our incredible partners at Direct Relief 💙

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 257 shipments of requested medical aid to 37 U.S. states and territories and 22 countries worldwide — including Vanuatu, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

Shipments included specialty therapies, chronic disease medications, antibiotics, protective equipment, and cold chain storage equipment — critical supplies that help save and sustain lives.

We’re deeply grateful for their continued partnership as these essential medicines and supplies make their way to communities where they’re needed most. 🌍✨

For more details about the amazing support that Direct Relief gives around the world follow the link below. https://www.directrelief.org/2026/02/strengthening-health-systems-in-puerto-rico/

Over the past week, Direct Relief has delivered 257 shipments of requested medical aid to 37 U.S. states and territories and 22 countries worldwide. The shipments contained 2.8 million defined dail…

18/02/2026

Early diagnosis is key to improving survival for many childhood cancers.

Here are the early warning signs:
- unexplained fever
- easy bruising, bleeding
- severe and persistent headaches
- bone pain
- unexplained weight loss
- lumps and swelling
- symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks or progressively worsening

Spot the signs, get help early.

11/02/2026

✨ Throwback Thursday – Where Are They Now? ✨

Ever wonder where our past volunteers are now? 🤔
Have they told their friends to come and spend time with us?
Do they come back again? 💭❤️ Some come back again and again!

Today’s throwback is to Dr Jack (2017) 👨‍⚕️🌴 - and wow, what a legend 🙌

Not only did Jack spend his days doctoring, but after work he trained with the boys at Showground 🏃‍♂️💥 - and even went on to win the Santo Triathlon 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏆

During the Ambae evacuation, Jack worked alongside our team day and night, providing care when it was needed most 🚨🤝 He also visited hundreds of internally displaced people living in camps, delivering care, compassion, and tireless support throughout his 7-month long-term placement 💙

We are always in need of volunteer doctors who can commit long-term, just like Dr Jack, and make a real, lasting difference in our communities 🌍❤️ volunteers@medicalsanto.com

🙏 Thank you, Dr Jack - for your energy, dedication, and huge heart. Truly unforgettable.

💝 Want to help us keep this work going? You can support the same life-changing care that Dr Jack championed by donating - follow the link in the comments.

💙👏

09/02/2026

📣 To Future Doctors: This Could Change Your Perspective on Medicine 🌍🩺

One of our past medical student volunteers, Tan Yan Hua (Ken), (University of Hong Kong), recently shared how his time at Medical Santo continues to stay with him.

His experience volunteering in Santo shaped not only his understanding of healthcare in a resource-limited setting, but also the kind of doctor he hopes to become in the future. From working in the clinic and the community outreach, to learning alongside our local team, the experience left a lasting personal and professional impact.

✨ We’ve attached Ken’s article where he reflects on his journey, the people he met, and how the experience changed his perspective on medicine and service.

We are incredibly grateful to students like Ken who come with open hearts, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Time and again, our volunteers tell us that their attachment here changes the way they see medicine, service, and themselves.

If you are a medical student interested in a meaningful overseas experience in 2027, we would love to hear from you.
📧 volunteers@medicalsanto.com

Because learning medicine isn’t just about skills — it’s about perspective, compassion, and community. 💙

08/02/2026

Medical Santo is currently short staffed, so we kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this time.

Our team has also been managing some very difficult and complex cases recently, which has understandably impacted on our time and workload.

Thank you for your patience, kindness and support — it truly means a lot to our staff as we continue to care for our community 💙

08/02/2026

Here in Santo at Northern Provincial Hospital, we are fortunate to have Dr Annette Garae Leodoro, a paediatrician (children’s specialist), providing expert care for our children locally❤️.

Access to specialised care close to home truly helps keep our children safe.👶🏽🏥

Children aren’t small adults. They need care tailored to their age, weight & development.

Children face higher risks of errors with medications and diagnosis; infections caught during care and missed warning signs. These errors can cause them lifelong harm.

Children cannot communicate effectively so, they rely on adults to keep them safe.

Safety takes teamwork – families and health workers working together