UST Medical Missions, Inc.

The Medical Missions, Inc. was conceived in April 1961 when a third year UST medical student Anthony Galleta went on a nature trip to the magnificent Rice Terraces and decided to visit the St. Joseph's Infirmary and Rest House in Kiangan, Ifugao in the Mountain Province.

This led to a discovery of malnutrition, disease and a general lack of health care among the residents. Back in the university, he sought the help of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery to set up equipment and laboratory in the clinic, and trekked back to Kiangan with a co-student Eduardo Jurilla the following month. They did 75 examinations for parasites and assisted the missionary sisters in the treatment of patients who came daily to the clinic.

From then, MMI gained national attention and would receive urgent requests for medical and surgical missions in remote and impoverished areas in the Philippines devoid of medical care and attention.

The MMI has found in its organization a team of dedicated doctors, nurses, dentists, and 2nd to 4th year medical students ready to extend their precious time, kind hearts and expertise in helping the less fortunate and the sick.

The MMI is organized with three arms: the MMI Proper, the MMI Student Group, and the MMI Nursing Group. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Until 2006 MMI has recorded services to a total of 343,693 patients, broken down into 267,432 medical cases, 55,135 surgical cases, and 21,126 dental cases. The last three years recorded the following:

MMI has been operating with funds and donations from private individuals, free service from the UST Hospital specialist and staff, the UST Medicine and Surgery 2nd to 4th year students, and assistance from various drug companies.