In April 2021, the remote island province of Occidental Mindoro, home to over 480,000 people, found itself on the frontlines of the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The island’s healthcare system was stretched thin as it struggled to keep pace with the virus’s relentless spread. But help arrived through an innovative partnership between Rotary Melbourne and Lubang Island. Together, we launched a vital Medical Mitigation Program (MMP) aimed at reinforcing the region's healthcare defences.
At the heart of this initiative was a specially designed mobile healthcare van, equipped to provide swab testing, screenings, and vaccinations. This van, modeled after units used in previous global health crises like the SARS, H1N1, and Avian Flu outbreaks, brought much-needed medical resources directly to communities that would otherwise struggle to access care.
Further strengthening the island’s pandemic response, a handwashing station was installed at San Jose District Hospital, a simple yet crucial tool in the fight against infection. The mobile van was also fitted with a portable clean water tank, embodying the "WASH in Health Care" principle - emphasizing the essential role of water, sanitation, and hygiene in medical facilities. Together, these measures offered a lifeline to the people of Occidental Mindoro, demonstrating the power of global collaboration in the face of adversity.