FOR a third-world country like the Philippines, medical missions are activities that most economically-challenged families in the communities await. For parents who consider it difficult to find food to feed their children, getting checked by a medical practitioner may not be part of their priorities anymore. Fortunately, there are still people whose passion is serving others, especially the vulnerable sectors in the society like the children.
At the age of 33, Jaime Marcelo T. Razo who is more popularly known as Doc Jaimz, a medical doctor, has been conducting medical missions since 2017 with the Love for Children Foundation in Toril, Davao City. Now his mission areas are expanding. He works with a team composed of other doctors, medical students, church volunteers, and retired nurses.
He is currently the Chief of Hospital of Gregorio Matas District Hospital of Davao del Sur since 2018 but before he found his way in this career path, his journey was not an easy ride.
In 2001, he realized his dream to become a doctor so he pursued BS Medical Technology at San Pedro College. He said his family is not well-off but his parents were able to provide his needs as a student. However, few years in college he was exposed to activism and was forced to stop school not long after as a result. He even experienced running away from home. It was only in 2004 when he found his way back. He continued and finished his studies at the University of Immaculate Conception (UIC). Doc Jaimz pursued medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation and met his wife Sheryl and had their first child.
However, it was in 2011 that a storm measured the faith of Doc Jaimz and his wife when their second child died due to dengue few days before his graduation.
Instead of being discouraged, he found his strength anew and promised to live with a purpose.
“When my child died, it was my turning point of faith to God. When I got closer to Him, I feel like I became more productive every day. I noticed that everything I do is placed into order,” he said.
Aside from his medical missions, he also co-founded the Genesis Multi- specialty Clinic and Diagnostic Laboratory in Toril District that offers clinical and laboratory services.
Being a head doctor in a hospital, his responsibilities expanded but he always makes sure to remain faithful to his beliefs by going to church every Sunday with his family. One may wonder how he is able to do missions amid a very busy life, but this doctor is not an ordinary one.
“It is only time management. Just wise allocation of schedule in order to do the things you ought to do. And of course, commitment,” he said.
He committed to do his medical missions for a lifetime as a way of giving back for every blessing he receives in life.