In Memory of Dr. Leh Siu-Chuan
TIMA Philippines
On April 7, 1995, TIMA Philippines held its first ever Tzu Chi Free Clinic at the makeshift clinic in the local Lions Club offices at the remote mountainous village of Baguio. Twenty two doctors and nurses from Manila's Chinese General Hospital, joined by a team of Tzu Chi volunteers, brought all the necessary equipment and medicines, and spent three days in the village, operating on 173 patients who had not had the chance to receive proper medical services before.
This successful, first ever Tzu Chi Free Clinic in the Philippines was made possible by then deputy director of the Chinese General Hospital Doctor Leh Siu Chuan, a tall and strong man with an unforgettable, heartwarming laugh and big rounded belly, just like a walking Smiling Buddha.
Dr. Leh, a devoted Catholic, is a third generation Chinese Filipino, Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines Chapter's first CEO Sister Linda Chua visited Dr. Leh on 1995 and asked Dr. Leh to help organize the Tzu Chi Free Clinic project.
After listening to sister Lin's proposal, Dr. Leh was very moved, but he still had one concern in mind, "Is it really possible for a Catholic group and a Buddhist group to work together?" Sister Linda assured Dr. Leh that "Tzu Chi is an international Buddhist organization with a reputation of being open minded and has worked seamlessly with partners from all different faiths." Dr. Leh took Sister Linda at her word, and went on to help Tzu Chi Free Clinic ever since.
Even though Dr. Leh had gotten involved in TIMA's operations, he did not really know much about Tzu Chi, until he got the chance to visit Jing Si Abode and met Master Cheng Yen in person during the Mid-Autumn Festival, September 27, 1996.
Dr. Leh said, "When I finally met with Master Cheng Yen, she told me how she started the Tzu Chi Foundation, and how she managed to get Tzu Chi Hospital off the ground and serve so many needy people. This further enhanced my understanding of Tzu Chi, and I thought if a lady thin and frail like Master Cheng Yen can undertake such incredible tasks to serve and to help, then how about me? So, ever since that inspirational trip back to Hualien, I am fully committed to shouldering the responsibilities of running a successful Tzu Chi Free Clinic in the Philippines," concluded Dr. Leh.
Because of Dr. Leh's dedication, TIMA began to take hold in the Philippines, more and more medical personnel have since joined TIMA to give back to their society, and the number of people being helped by TIMA are ever growing.
Since the first time he came to visit Master Cheng Yen on the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in 1996, TIMA members from Philippines always managed to come visit Master Cheng Yen during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, and it went on to become a TIMA tradition.
TIMA members from all around the globe fly back to Hualien to learn from each other, and to get together with Master Cheng Yen.
It has been 17 years, since the very first Tzu Chi Free Clinic on April 7, 1995. TIMA Philippines has held 152 Free Clinic outreaches, and served more than 200,800 needy patients. Dr. Leh used to say that "the Tzu Chi Free Clinic team is just like a mobile hospital, whenever and wherever is the need, TIMA will come to serve."
Sadly, Dr. Leh passed away on August 17, 2012 in Manila. When Master Cheng Yen heard the news of Dr. Leh's passing, she sent her condolences to Dr. Leh's family and to Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines chapter. Master said,"I know how hard it is for all of you, and I hope he will be reincarnated and be back with us soon.