“How do we ensure our hard work creates a lasting impact?”

It’s a question every leader asks themselves. As Dr. Halbert Capuy’s tenure comes to a close, let us look back on his legacy and the meaningful impact it has made on one of its beneficiaries.

Dear BMA Member, Donors, and Friends,

It has been four months since the inauguration of the BMA Legacy Health-Charity Clinic on June 3, 2025, attended by the Cebu City Mayor, the honorable Nestor Archival, along with the four local Barangay Captains. This was followed by a highly successful Medical, Dental, Surgical, and Optical Mission that brought together our dedicated BMA Members – Doctors, Allied Medical Professionals, and Volunteers from across the USA, who ignited the flame of hope. What a remarkable journey it has been!

As many of you know, we’ve proudly conducted several medical missions in the past. But with each mission, we couldn’t shake the critical question: How do we ensure our hard work creates a lasting impact? This led us to a profound realization-the importance of establishing a permanent structure for continuity of care in the community we serve!

We are thrilled to report that we now have over 600 active underprivileged patients, each of whom is relying on our medical services. The fulfillment of providing vital medical care is immeasurable – it’s like a lifeline for many. For some, it is not just a place for consultations: it’s a “Godsend”, an actual life-changing moment they never thought possible.

At the BMA Legacy Health – Charity Clinic, we are witnessing an array of cases we regularly see in our private clinics—only here we provide these services “absolutely FREE.” Many of our patients struggle to access consultations and medications elsewhere due to financial constraints. While the Barangay Health centers are doing their best, they often find themselves overwhelmed with patients, with limited medical supplies, and sometimes without a physician available. It is very fulfilling to render such services to those in need. The people are genuinely grateful to the BMA.

We are seeing patients who have felt marginalized, convinced that their economic situation dictated the quality of their care, and that they are not being heard. It could be a case of misunderstanding, miscommunication, or an unintended lack of empathy.

One touching story involves a mother of 5, who has a large Thyroid nodule and said, “Nobody cares about me”. “Wala ko nila bali baliha”. After visiting the BMA charity clinic, she found a nurturing team that genuinely cares and guided her in the right direction. This included the excellent support from our friend, a BMA supporter, Dr. Peter Mancao, and his team, who are now dedicated to her comprehensive treatment. This is a critical lesson on the importance of communication and empathy.

Then, there is an inspiring tale of Ms. Floriza Codeno, a 40-year-old mother, who came in for a routine blood pressure check and free medications. However, Dr. Livia Capuy noticed her sitting awkwardly with her right leg stretched out and observed that she was using a very heavy one-piece above-the-knee prosthesis with several contraptions attached to her hips due to her Congenital Partial Absence of her Right Limb. She had been using the same prosthesis for over 22 years and had it repaired by her brother twice, using metallic materials, making it cumbersome. Despite her disability, she continues to earn a living by selling home-cooked food to the public instead of making her situation to her advantage by being dependent on the public.

Dr. Livia Capuy, Dr. Lorenzo Alaan, and I had a brief conference and informed Ms Floriza that the BMA will assist her in procuring a new prosthesis. A glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes. Initially skeptical but filled with cautious optimism, having searched extensively in the past, looking for a sponsor with no success. Dr. Alaan referred her to Dr. Acol, an Orthopedic surgeon who offered her services for free and coordinated with Instalimb Solutions.

She returned to our clinic with the evaluation and quotation for her modern, lightweight above-the-knee pneumatic prosthesis, which was 151,000.00 pesos. With all discounts applied, it came down to 107,000.00 pesos.

As she presented the quotation, a tone of despair in her voice, she said, “Mahal Man Kaayo Doc” (It’s very costly, Doc). However, she got an answer she never expected: we informed her that the BMA will cover the expenses for her lightweight, above-the-knee pneumatic prosthesis. The sheer happiness that burst from her was indescribable! She was left speechless, with tears glimmering in her eyes, lips quivering as she softly said, “Thank you, Doctors, and thank you, BMA”. Her prosthesis is now in production, and she just had her initial fitting done last week.

Thanks to the generosity of the DSWD for guaranteeing 35,000.00 pesos, and with deep appreciation to our friend and a BMA supporter, Mr. and Mrs. Jiji and Eva Gullas, who voluntarily messaged me that they would cover the remaining 72,000.00.

This experience not only illustrates the challenges faced by many in our community but also the profound impact that compassion and support can have on individuals.

At the BMA, we remain committed to continuing our efforts to assist those in need. As we continue to work at the BMA Legacy Health – Charity Clinic, let us be reminded of the importance of making our patients feel valued and understood.

I will leave you a quote from Maya Angelou:

“People will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Halbert Capuy, M.D.
CEO
BMA Legacy Health – Charity Clinic