27-A Masikap St.
Brgy Pinyahan
1100 Quezon City
Philippines
Tel/Fax (632) 435 3633
E-mail: faith@impactnet.com
The Medical Action Group (MAG) is a health service organization of physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, health students and health workers collectively working for the promotino and defense of Health and Human Rights for All.
It was established on April 16, 1982 as a non-stock, non-profit organization as the health sector's response to grave human rights violations perpetrated by the Marcos administration.
MAG dreams of a society whose citizens are free from all kinds of oppression and repression. But this dream seems still to be far from reality as human rights violations continue. MAG has expanded its mandate from primarily providing services to victims of civil and political rights violations to responding to the needs of victims of socio-economic and cultural rights violations.
It started in Metro Manila and has grown through the years. Its membership expanded in various parts of the country. At present, it has a chapter in Western Visayas with an office in Iloilo City established in 1995 and a satellite office for women workers in Cavite set up this year.
The Medical Action Group envisions a society where the health and human rights of its citizens are upheld and protected at all times. This society ensures that health care is accessible to all, is appropriate and effective; and guarantees as well other human rights in accordance with the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
To achieve its vision, MAG has a threefold mission.
Provide total health services to victims of human rights violations regardless of gender, race, creed, religion, nationality, social status or political belief. Total health services include prevention, curative and rehabilitation, all of which contribute to the maintenance and improvement of health.
Organize, educate and mobilize health professionals, students and workers to deliver health services to victims of human rights violations, and for them to become human rights advocates; and,
Unite with other advocates of health and other human rights to ensure that the health right of the victims and survivors of human rights violations is provided and the exercise of the humanitarian ideals of health providers is protected.
Conducts community clinics after demolition
Conducts Quick Reaction Responses during demolition
Provides biopsychosocial services to victims of torture and political detention
Documents torture incidences
Organize and/or strengthen Health and Safety Committees of factories
Conduct research on the health profile of women workers in Cavite Export Processing Zone (CEPZA)
Establish community managed health programs in previously displaced communities through health skills training of volunteer health workers
Campaign against the continued violations of the humanitarian principles of the health sector and the people's right to health.
Organizes/mobilizes necessary resources for health services.
Maintains a resource center wherein books, manuals, audio-visuals and other educational materials pertaining to health and human rights are available.
Publishes Progress Notes, a quarterly news-magazine that carries news and information on the health and human rights situation in the country and the health and human rights developments here and abroad.
Educates the beneficiaries on their right to health and preventive medicine in order to become more active participants in the health care system.
Conducts documentation and research to help in the development of an effective rehabilitation treatment to beneficiaries.
Campaigns for the abolition of torture as well as for the welfare of the other beneficiaries.
Conducts fact-finding missions, exhumation and autopsy of victims of extra-judicial executions.
Provides other forms of health services as First Aider in mass actions and Health Status Monitor Teams during hunger strikes.
