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My First Trip into Native Taiwan
209th Angela Ong
Medical Student
As an aspiring medical student, I find the time spent on these trips to be invaluable. I've long dreamed of incorporating a Chinese influence into Western medicine for practice in the United States. I want to give patients more treatment options in addition to the standard protocols; to open more doors and reduce fear of medicine. Participating in these medical trips has given me a rare chance to witness how several doctors practice both Chinese and Western medicine to help those who are medically challenged due to regional location.
For 15 years, Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps has been helping people and through time, they have become very organized and efficient. People are specially picked for specific roles such as drivers, lab staff, doctors, dentists, kitchen staff, and more. People often register early to volunteer and trips frequently become full. However, they also rotate volunteers so that everyone gets a chance to participate, especially new comers.
This was my first time attending so naturally I had no idea what to expect. As I left my building to meet everyone, I could see the curiosity on the security guard's face, as if asking "where was a young girl like me going in the middle of the night?" We gathered at Taiwan University and while some took taxis, others waited for hours since the MRT closed at 12. Among many, this was the first sign of how dedicated everyone was.
We drove through the night into the mountains until early morning. Despite the lack of sleep, everyone was still very enthusiastic to help unload, set up, and prepare for the first wave of patients. After patients registered, took blood pressure, temperature, and weight, they moved onto the doctor's table where they explained their ailments. Due to high altitude and humidity from living in the mountains, these people exhibited common symptoms such as knee and joint pains. Bending their knee alone, you can hear and feel the cracking in the joints. They were especially inclined to have curved spines, joint swelling, upper hamstring pains, high blood pressure, and eye infections. Ironically, I came back from the trip with some minor eye infections myself.
Many patients came in with red orange stains around their mouth and on their teeth. No matter how many times a doctor tells them to cut back on the betel nuts, they still can't help themselves. One woman told us that since her children and parents are gone, she has nothing left to do but chew betel nuts. So it would seem that some feel they are left with no other alternative.
On my first night in the mountains, it was especially chilly. To keep warm, I decided to drink some hot water but unbeknownst to me, the water was still scalding hot. I ended up burning my entire chin from the water that dribbled down my face. The nurses and doctors were very quick to respond and gave me medicated salve and good advice on how to tend to it. Luckily, weeks after there are no scars. Yes! I am grateful for all their concern and care!
Staying in Taiwan has often left me feeling anxious due to the fact that my Chinese is not strong. However, the people I met on this trip have been very supportive. I feel fortunate to have made a few more friends, learned a lot about medical treatment, and explored new areas of Taiwan. Despite burning my chin, the experience was still definitely worth it and I am going back again!