Family Missions International

Each year we coordinate a team of doctors and dentists to go to the villages we serve on the Island of Occidental Mindoro. You can imagine that in a place where there is not one doctor or dentist office that the mission is great appreciated. Many of you donate to FMI so that we can purchase the best price medicines and services available.

The number of people that we are able to minister to runs over a thousand each year. Also, imagine villages where all that can be done for those with tooth aches is to pull their teeth (no equipment because no electricity, no fillings).. each mission over 500 teeth must be pulled.

Because of the virtual absence of medical help - where no one knows what to do if there is a drowning incident or heart attack, no first-aid..

We have certified and trained near to 20 of the FMI staff and volunteers by the Philippine National Red Cross.

Our goal is to setup mini-medical clinics in each village where we establish a mission center. Please partner with us to do this.

To all the doctors and dentists who worked together for last year's Annual FMI Mission!!

Medical/Health/Dental
Goal Gains		Unfinished business
Malnutrition: Reduction of severe and moderate malnutrition among under-five by half		32% of Filipino children are moderately and severely underweight by 1998.
Breastfeeding: Empowerment of all women to breastfeed their children exclusively for 4-6 months and to continue breastfeeding, with complementary food, well into the second year of life	Over 1,000 hospitals and maternity facilities have been certified as mother- and baby-friendly --- meaning these centers practice the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.	30% of Filipino mothers either never breastfeed at all, or do so for only one to three months.
Vitamin A deficiency: Virtual elimination by the year 2000	By 1995, virtually all children were receiving vitamin A supplements through the Department of Health's campaigns.	Supplementation was not sustained and by 2000, coverage ranged from 82-89% during Pre-schoolers' Health Week. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among children increased from 35.3% in 1993 to 38% in 1998
Iodine deficiency disorders: Virtual elimination by the year 2000	The government passed Republic Act 8172, An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide, in 1995.	Implementation of the law has been poor. A mere 22% of Filipino households use iodized salt. 36% of Filipino children suffer from moderate to severe iodine deficiency disorders.
Low birth weight: Reduction of the rate of low birthweight (2.5 kg or below) to less than 10%	This goal is virtually achieved. Percentage of infants with low birth wieghts was reduced from 18.4% in 1995 to 9.6% in 1999.	Efforts must be sustained to preserve this gain.
Growth monitoring: Growth promotion and regular growth monitoring among children to be institutionalized	The establishments of health and nutrition posts in far-flung communities have helped in the monitoring of children's health.	However, as of 1999, only 46% of children one year old and younger were regularly weighed.