Partner Eye Doctor: One of the IAPB Eye Health Heroes

Dr. Redentor Rabino, a partner Ophthalmologist of Cataract Foundation Philippines, Inc. - CBM’s partner in Inclusive Eye Health, is named one of the Eye Health Heroes by The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). His contribution to prevent blindness in the community was recognised during the Council of Members meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal on September 18, 2017.

Dr. Rabino was one of the pioneer doctors under the ‘Doctors to the Barrios’ programme, a government-led activity which deploys competent and community-oriented doctors to marginalised populations in the Philippines. He is assigned to a remote area in a rural and impoverished province in Southern Philippines and also serves in places like Marawi and Sulu that are hazardous because of long-standing armed conflict and terrorism. As a partner Ophthalmologist, he performs high volume, high quality, yet low cost eye surgeries to socio-economically challenged patients coming from communities with very limited access to eye healthcare.

During an outreach programme in Masbate, one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, Dr. Rabino performed 90 eye surgeries in one day. After a long and physically-demanding day, he is still full of joy and vigor, describing what he does as his passion and calling – even under very challenging conditions. Once, he braved the sea amidst a typhoon to push through with a scheduled outreach activity in which patients would come from far-flung areas. During outreach activities, he takes time to educate patients in caring for their eyes and their overall health as well.

When he retires, Dr. Rabino plans to continue conducting medical missions all over the Philippines together with his wife, who is also a doctor and is currently catering to the urban poor by serving in a health center in the capital Manila.

“If there is commitment in what you do, there is joy. My passion is to give sight back to the poor and give them a second chance in life. It gives me happiness and encouragement beyond what money can offer,” Dr. Rabino said.

Bob McMullan, president of the IAPB, and Suzanne Gilbert, senior director of Innovation & Sight Program under the Seva Foundation, presided over the ceremony and gave the awards to the 14 Eye Health Heroes.

This article is part of CBM Philippines' Newsletter - 'Insights'. To subscribe, go to our Facebook page and click the Newsletter button.