In Germany it is widely accepted and recognized, that non religious people posess ethical and moral values. In a global view, this is yet still an exeption. A young organization in the Philippines is therefor trying to reduce false prejudgments in a catholic dominated country, towards Atheists and Agnostics.
More than 4000 patients were treated during the first Free Medical Clinic project, that was held on February 15, 2014, in the province of Rizal, Rodriquez. This project was launched on the organizations 3rd anniversary, to help citizens in need, by supplying them with free medical consultation and medicines.
Both are highly in demand, as the health care system does not reach many people of the fast growing society. Government is working hard to build a nation wide covering system, but it is a long procedure.
Around 60% of the population were covered by the state health care in the year 2007, The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Yet it only covers basic medical costs, and rarely all expenses of the person in need.
On top of all, there is a lack of medical personnel within the country of nearly 100 million people. There are estimated 70000 practicing doctors – in a downward trend; because due to bad working and income conditions, many doctors and nurses move abroad, where their income level is much higher.
In comparison: In the German Republic, a country that also lacks enough doctors, there are 357000 practicing medical doctors for a population of 80 Million people, found out in a statistic from 2013. Generally access to the medical system, enjoys only every second person in The Philippines. All necessary medical expenses can basically only be afforded by the rich. The majority population receive either very basic or no proper medical treatment.
„ Godless“ suffer from prejudgment
This gap fills the PATAS project since February. Doctor Tess Termulo who is also the PATAS President states: „Part of the medicine given to the needy comes from pharmacies and hospitals“. Volunteers collect the medicines which expiration date is in the near future. Another part is paid by donations from within the thousands of people who have joined PATAS since February 2011. The medical volunteers, that operate at each medical clinic at different places, are nurses and doctors that share the Atheist or Agnostic mind set. This project also tries to remove the bias towards people that don't believe in god.
Around 90% of the population belong to a christian confession, and around 80% of those are catholic. „In the local society there is a lot of prejudice towards non religious people“, says Thomas Fleckner. The 44 year old formally lived in Osnabrueck, and was a member of the Humanist Organization Lower Saxony. Since 2010, he is working in The Philippines, and engaged himself in the non religious movement PATAS is involved in. Several months ago he was elected CEO of PATAS.
Thomas Fleckner has observed, during his many years abroad, that Atheists are in an awkward situation within the catholic dominated country: „Many politicians believe, that all people are under God's government. Schools teach creationism; forced prayers and church visits are often a mandatory part of the school activities, even at university level. Often, only baptized children will be accepted, and non religious people are labelled demons or devils“ he explains. Atheists also often experience drawbacks at work, and in the media or political forums, they are invisible.
Humanism without theism
The project „Free Medical Clinic“ should therefor help reducing existing prejudice. „Some young people, with help of the internet, have found their enthusiasm for a life without religion“, Fleckner points out. Specially among students one can observe a growing number of Atheists. „Too many people , specially those with no internet access, to participate in online networks or read articles, are nearly impossible to reach“, Fleckner continues. The new PATAS project makes it possible to reach those people, specially the large group of less privileged and less fortunate.
„The first visitors had never heard about us. Often we were asked, during the treatment, to what church we belong.“ Tess Termulo reports. A huge part of the education and social welfare establishments are run by private hands, basically the churches. The Motto of the Free Medical Clinic is: Humanism without theism. (Good without god). „The questions asked by the patients gives us a good chance to explain that we don't believe in a god“ Tess Termulo explains. „People get in touch with our ideas, in a positive way. This experience helps them to turn away from wrong bias towards non religious people. We can show, that we belong to society and are good without a god“
After PATAS had organized two conventions regarding the topics Atheism and Humanism, and being engaged in several activities for women and LGBT rights, the Free Medical Clinic has evolved to one of the fundamental projects of the young organization. During the last months, more than 300 people could be helped and supported with medical supply. Since some time, the clinic also holds a program for family planning and contraception.
The dream of an own house
Until now, the Free Medical Clinic is holding as a one day event, once a month. "To give the project a real breakthrough in the Philippine Society, a permanent place would be of need", so Thomas Fleckner.
Because of this, PATAS is thinking about, how to find a real estate for this project. With this, PATAS could establish a permanent venue in the region. From a European perspective, the buying price could be as small as 10000 Euros, to start with, Thomas Fleckner elaborates.
The organization is not able to raise such funds, even in the near future, by itself. The reasons are the average income levels, which is one tenth of an income in Germany. Furthermore, most PATAS members are youths and students. Thomas Fleckner reminds, that in The Philippines, the country of the 700 islands, specially the young members have to use their own limited funds to even visit PATAS events.
Next to the successful Free Medical Clinic, another big event is on the PATAS agenda for next year. In 2015, PATAS will welcome the IHEU (International Humanist and Ethical Union) General Assembly to be held in Manila, and on the second day have their PATAS convention. Around 60 representatives from the approximately 30 Humanist and Secular organizations will come together to discuss the ideas and principles of secular humanism, and how to promote these across Asia, with its diverse religious beliefs and religions. Prejudice and hostile attitude towards Atheists is observed in many countries of the region. Without a god, to live a good life with high morals – not only in The Philippines, it seems impossible for many.
Arik Platzek (HVD and Diesseits Humanist printed Magazine Germany)
Comments powered by CComment