Introduction
Answering the call of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, a group of medical practitioners from various professions stepped forward to establish the Tzu Chi International Medical Association in October 1996. The association acts on its philosophy of “healing illnesses, healing patients, and healing the heart” by providing medical aid to troubled regions and countries. In doing so, Tzu Chi is practising its belief that “love has no borders” and spreading this belief to all corners of the world.
In addition to its medical expertise, TIMA has a large force of volunteers who support its hospitals, kidney dialysis centre, free clinic and medical team. Currently, TIMA has a total of 43 chapters in 22 countries. Despite differences in race, religious faith and nationalities, the volunteers do not hesitate to cross geographical boundaries to provide emergency aid in times of crisis or natural disaster. Thus TIMA provides an effective help network across the globe.
TIMA Singapore was established on 4 September 1999. In addition to operating the Tzu Chi Free Clinic on the island and providing medical aid to rural areas in neighbouring countries, the association also conducts medical missions to countries with limited medical resources, like Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Through such medical missions, Tzu Chi hopes to spread its idea of a humanitarian culture in medicine and to instil a deep sense of responsibility and duty towards individuals in the medical profession.
TIMA Annual Conference
TIMA holds its annual medical conference during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Every year, medical volunteers from all over the world gather at Hualien, Taiwan to give talks on specific medical topics, discuss pertinent issues and share their experiences with medical professionals from other countries. Having such a group of medical professional providing high standards of medical services for the poor and ill is what Dharma Master Cheng Yen had hoped for.
In addition to gathering medical professionals from all walks of life, these annual meetings carry and pass on its philosophy of humanity in medicine, which embodies the Tzu Chi spirit of love and gratitude. This love, which pervades all medical missions, forms the basis of discussion among medical practitioners during the annual meetings.
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The doctors who volunteer with TIMA do not only possess the necessary medical skills, but also the loving heart to care for the weak and ill.
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Doctors who volunteer with TIMA make use of their holiday to provide medical consultation to the elderly who live alone in the Chinatown area. They even help tidying up their home.
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The doctors of TIMA Singapore on their first overseas free clinic in year 2000. |
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Doctors and volunteers working together in providing patients a chance of leading a healthier life. |
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The doctors’ competency partnered with advanced medical facilities has allowed for surgical procedures to be carried out during the free clinic. |
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A doctor following up with her patient’s health and progress following an operation. |
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Doctors who volunteer with TIMA hold talks from time to time. |
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