Church of Jesus Christ donates essential newborn care equipment to Tondo Medical Center

Who would have thought that a misleading article in the papers would lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to contribute to necessary infant care equipment to a hospital in Tondo, Manila?

Last November 7, 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ formally turned over two neonatal incubators, two stainless pediatric cribs, two full-sized hospital beds, two blood pressure apparatus with trolley stands, three medical-grade pulse oximeters and a patient monitor to the Tondo Medical Center, a public hospital located at the heart of Manila.

Dr. Maria “Happy” Estrella, Medical Chief of Tondo Medical Center, and Ms. Ma. Victoria Lomibao, Chief Administrative Officer, personally received the donated medical equipment and thanked the Church of Jesus Christ for their generosity. The Tondo Medical Center is a public-use hospital that treats thousands of mainly indigent patients from all over Manila daily.

An article about the Tondo Medical Center misleadingly reported unverified information that painted the hospital negatively. However, Dr. Estrella explained that Tondo Medical Center is just like any other public hospital in the Philippines with its challenges, particularly in funding.

“The article you have read about the hospital was mistaken. But it was a good mistake because it drew you to us,” Dr. Estrella said.

“We really appreciate donations like this. This is big for us. The services and donations we receive are instruments for us to further serve the Tondo community,” she added.

Representing the local Church leaders at the turnover event is Manila Stake President Ian Sta. Maria who initially went to Tondo Medical Center to look for ways to help. He brought the lack of newborn support equipment to Elder and Sister Huff, who are Humanitarian Service missionaries, to look for ways to provide the hospital with their needed equipment.

Several members of the Manila Philippines Stake also attended the turnover, many of whom received medical care from Tondo Medical Center. As part of a growing community in Tondo, the Church has conducted many humanitarian projects in the area and neighboring indigent areas.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has several ongoing maternal and newborn care projects worldwide as part of its humanitarian aid and initiatives program.

Aside from providing hospitals with needed infrastructure and equipment, the Church trains in-country medical personnel who, in turn, teach others to assist with newborn care, including resuscitation of newborns with breathing difficulties.