DR. KADIL M. SINOLINDING, JR.
Rural physician and volunteer ophthalmologist
wins 4th Gawad Haydee Yorac

The formula was there: bright young man from an underprivileged family, student leader, class valedictorian, consistent full scholar, 6th in his medical class, 7th in the medical board.

That he rose above his humble beginnings to excel is a story that already inspires us.

But that he chose to stay in Cotabato, the land of his birth, saying no to what could have been a lucrative practice, and serving in barangays hardly visited except by the uncertainties and pain of war and poverty, certainly deserves more than just admiration. It deserves emulation befitting a lifetime of outstanding public service. No less than the Gawad Haydee Yorac.

Rural doctor, volunteer ophthalmologist, educator, community organizer, peace advocate, an eye specialist for all people regardless of race, creed or socioeconomic class, Kadil Manera Sinolinding, Jr, was born in Pikit, Cotabato on August 28, 1965, one of three sons.

In an article, Dr. Roulour Garcia recalls: “A graduate of the West Visayas State University College of Medicine in 1989, he had aspirations of becoming a surgeon. After passing the board exams, he began residency training in general surgery at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center.”

“In his first year of surgical residency training, he noticed that a lot of people were being operated on during the more advanced stage of the disease or where complications had already set in…This prompted Kadil to quit residency to join public health as a municipal health officer of Pagalungan, Maguindanao, a war-torn municipality. He would eventually quit government service to devote all his time to charity work.”

“While working for the government, Kadil was sent to training in ophthalmology at the UP-Philippine General Hospital under the modified residency program with the Department of Health. He finished residency and passed the diplomate examination of the Philippine Board of Opthalmology in 1996. Since then he started working in the far-flung municipalities of Mindanao without eye services, trained eyecare volunteers as well as doctors and nurses for the basic treatment and diagnosis of eye problems.”

When a cousin died of a simple illness, Dr. Kadil or “Jojo,” knew he would be a doctor. And when his grandmother went blind because she could not pay for treatment, he knew what his specialty would be.

“I was encouraged to take up ophthalmology because my grandmother got needlessly blind. The family couldn’t afford to pay for the services of an eye doctor…Because of that, I made myself a promise that no one whom I have seen will go blind just because they are poor,” he recalls.

“Just imagine after living a fruitful life for the past 40 years and suddenly you lose sight,” he said in an interview with The Mindanao Cross, “ Life would be meaningless by then.”

He adds, in another interview by Philip Quitco, “Most people in our place go blind because there are no opthalmologists…By the unavailability and unaffordability of eye services, a decision (to bring these services to the people) was made…Medical help must always be within the reach of the people.”

Since then, he has gone on to personally treat, teach eye care to medical workers, educate, advocate and organize support for the crusade. For some two decades, he and fellow advocates he has trained have served in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao – Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi – and Zamboanga, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato, Panay Island and Luzon even at the height of insurgency or economic crisis.

His nominator, Dr. Angelo Ladub, a mentor and anesthesiologist of the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center relates: “Envisioning a healthy community and campaigning for a cataract-free Central and Western Mindanao, he dedicates his effort and time organizing health volunteers, innovating approaches for effective health program implementation and encourages involvement of all sectors in line with the objective of the Department of Health.”

“He has served over 100,000 patients from 1991 to the present…aided by the municipal primary eye care teams he has organized…He has organized a chain of Botica sa Barangay cooperatives in Maguindanao.”

With innovation and sheer determination, he has developed less expensive ways to treat cataract. Whether or not the patient can pay for the services, the same level of service is given. Those who can pay are encouraged to do so to keep the program going. They have also funding from local and international agencies.

Dr. Jojo Sinolinding’s Vision 20/20 Cataract Charities Team has made it affordable and accessible doing world class surgeries during its outreach missions even to peacechallenged towns of Lanao Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Sarangani and Maguindanao up to the typhoon stricken tip of Northern Luzon.

Today, Dr. Jojo is a father to three children – Josh, Thianne and Khalil by his wife, Ma. Elena Paz Unson; and he has just been named Regional Secretary of the Department of Health – ARMM.

He is staying here in our country to serve, respecting the decision of his colleagues to go abroad. “I just can’t leave my place,” he says. “This is my life’s work. Cotabato will always be my home. This is the reason I am here. I like to think of myself as a doctor for everybody…I believe in peace. I get my inspiration from the people. I respect life. I want to preserve it. I believe we should leave a trail for others to follow and broaden.”

Spoken like a true steward of the gift of life, a true patriot. Congratulations, Dr. Kadil “Jojo” M. Sinolinding, Jr.! – Ritzi Villarico Ronquillo, APR, with reports from various news sources

AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION OF DR. SINOLINDING, JR.
THAT EXPRESSES HIS LOVE FOR SERVICE

ALAY SA INYO
By Dr. Kadil “Jojo” M. Sinolinding, Jr.
(1989)

I. Pangarap ko’y mararating ko rin
Ilang hakbang na lang ang tatahakin
Ginhawang nais nawa’y maging akin
Kapalit ng aking pagtitiis at pagsusumikap

II. Tagumpay ay alay sa inyo
Mga gabay sa munti’y mga kamay
Ilaw sa dilim ang nagbibigay liwanag
Sa aking patutunguhang walang hanggan

III. Ito ang alay, alay sa inyo
Mga magulang, kapatid at mga guro ko
Sa kabila ng dilim ay umagang kay ganda (kay saya)
Pangakong hindi magbabago (mababago)

CITATION FOR 4TH GAWAD WINNER

DR. KADIL M. SINOLINDING, JR.
Founder and Project Director
Vision 20/20 Cataract Charities Project
Kabacan, Cotabato

Rural physician and volunteer ophthalmologist

For devoting his life to the remote and displaced depressed communities of indigenous people, Muslims and Christians in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and other far-flung areas of Mindanao suffering from the protracted peace and order situation, from his years as a medical student leader to his subsequent practice of his medical profession specializing in opthalmology, choosing to serve as a rural doctor, living in communities at risk of his life and choosing to forgo a more lucrative practice. For his courage to serve, his vision for affordable cataract treatment through outreaches and other medical services to the poorest of the poor, his tireless consensus building and bringing health, hope and peace to a troubled land, thus, emulating the selfless public service espoused by the late Haydee Yorac.

Click on this link to download this article with images.