History of nursing in History of nursing in the Philippinesthe Philippines

Early beliefs and practicesEarly beliefs and practices

Diseases and their causes and treatment were shrouded with mysticism and superstitions.

1. Beliefs about causation of disease: a. Another person (an enemy or a witch) b. Evil spirits 2. People believe that evil spirits could be driven away by persons with powers to expel demons. 3. People believed in special gods of healing, with the priest physician (called “word doctors”) as intermediary. If they used leaves or roots, they were called herb doctors (“Herbolarios”).

Early care of the sick The early Filipinos subscribed to superstitious beliefs

and practices in relation to health and sickness. Herbmen were called “Herbicheros”, meaning one who practice witch craft. Persons suffering from diseases without any identified cause were believed to be bewitched by the “mangkukulam” or “mangagaway”. Difficult childbirth and some diseases (called “pamao”) were attributed to “nonos”. Midwife assisted in child birth. During labor, the “mabuting hilot” (good midwife) was called in. If the became difficult, witches were supposed to be the cause. To disperse their influence, gunpowder was exploded from a bamboo cane close to the head of the sufferer.

The Earliest Hospitals Established: Hospital Real de Manila (1577). - was established mainly to care

for the Spanish King’s soldiers, but also admitted Spanish civilians; founded by Gov. Francisco de Sande.

San Lazaro Hospital (1578).- Founded by Brother Juan Clemente and was administered for many

years by the Hospitalliers of San Juan de Dios; built exclusively for patients with leprosy.

Hospital de Indio (1586).- Established by the Franciscan Order service was in general supported

by alms and contributions from charitable persons.

4. Hospital de Aguas Santas (1590).- Established in Laguna; near a medicinal spring, founded by Brother J. Bautista of the Franciscan Order .

San Juan de Dios Hospital (1596).- Founded by The Brotherhood of Misericordia and administered

by the Hospitalliers of San Juan de Dios; support was derived from alms and rents; rendered general

health service to the public.

Nursing During the Philippine Revolution The prominent persons involved in nursing works: 1. Josephine Bracken, wife of Jose Rizal. Installed a field hospital in an estate house in Tejeros:provided nursing care to the wounded night and day;

2. Rosa Sevilla de Alvero. Converted their house into quarters for the Filipino soldier, during the Philippine-American War that broke our 1899. 3. Dona Hilaria de Aguinaldo. Wife of Emilio Aguinaldo; organized Filipino Red Cross under the inspiration of Apolinario Mabini. 4. Dona Maria Agoncillo de Aguinaldo. Second – wife of Emilio Aguinaldo provided nursing care to Filipino soldiers during the revolution. President of the Filipino Red Cross branch in Batangas. 5. Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora). Nursed the wounded Filipino soldiers and gave them shelter and food.

Capitan Salome. A revolutionary leader in Nueva Ecija; provided nursing care to the wounded when not in combat.

Agueda Kahabagan. Revolutionary leader in Laguna, also provided nursing services to his troops.

Trinidad Tecson “Ina ng Biac na Bato”, stayed in the hospital at Biac na Bato to care for the wounded soldiers.

Filipino Red Cross Malolos Bulacan- location of the national head quarters. Established branches in the provincesFunctions of Filipino Red Cross Collection of war funds and materials through concerts, charity bazaars, and voluntary contributions. Provision of nursing care to wounded Filipino soldiers.Requirements for Membership: at least 14 years old, age requirement for officer was 25 years old. Of sound reputation.

Hospitals and Schools of Nursing1. Iloilo Mission Hospital School of Nursing (Iloilo City, 1906) It was ran by the Baptist Foreign Mission society in America.

Miss Rose Nicolet Graduate in New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston Massachusetts was the first superintendent for nurses moved to its present location in Jaro Road, Iloilo city in 1929.

Miss Flora Ernst an American nurse took charge of the school in 1942 March 1944, 22 nurses graduated April 1944, graduated nurse took the first Nurses board examination at the Iloilo Mission Hospital.

2. St Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing (Manila, 1907

The hospital was established the Arcbishop of Manila, The most Reverend Jeremiah Harty

Under the supervision of the sisters of St. Paul de Chartres

It was located in intramuros and provided general hospital services.

It had a free dispensary and dental clinic. It opened its training school for nurses in 1908

with Rev. Mother Melanie as superintendent

3. Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing

Began in 1901 as a small dispensary mainly for “Civil Officers and Employees” in the City of Manila.

It later grew into Civil Hospital.

Mrs. Mary Coleman Masters (1906) an educator advocated for idea of training Filipino girls for the profession of nursing. She first opened a dormitory for girls enrolled at the Philippine Normal Hall and the University of the Philippines with the approval of Government Officials. she opened classes in nursing under the auspices of the Bureau of Education.

Julia Nichols and Charlotte Clayton taught the students nursing subjects. American physicians also served as lecturers. In 1910, Act No. 1976, the Civil Hospital was abolished; the Philippine General Hospital was established. The school became known as the Philippine General Hospital school of Nursing.

Elsie McCloskey-Gaches Introduced several improvements in the school . course was made attractive and more practical.

Anastacia Giron-Tupas First Filipino nurse to occupy the position of chief nurse and superintendent in the Philippines,

4.St. Luke’s Hospital of Nursing (Quezon City ,1907)

Is an Episcopalian Institution It began as a small dispensary in 1903 In 1907 ,school opened w/ three Filipino girls

admitted , These girls had their first year in combined

classes w/ the Philippine General Hospital School of Nursing and St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing.

Miss Helen Hicks was the first principal of St. Luke’s Hospital

of Nursing Vitaliana Beltran was the first Filipino superintendent of

nursesJose Fores was the first Filipino medical director of the

hospital.

Following Requirements:Educational preparation, at least

completion of seventh gradeSound physical and mental healthGood moral character.Good family and social standingRecommendations from three different

persons well known in the community.

5.Mary Johnston Hospital and School Nursing (Manila,1907)

It started as a small dispensary on Calle Cervantes (now Avenida Rizal).

Was called Bethany Dispensary

Was funded by the Methodist Mission for the relief of suffering among women and children.

Sr. Rebecca Parrish , Rose Dudley and Gertrude Dreisback

Organized the Mary Johnston School of Nursing Mr. D. S. B. Johnston of Minnesota Donated as a memorial to his wife $12,500.00 for

a hospital building .

In 1911, the Philippine Assembly appropriated a monthly sum of P500.00 for the hospital

At the outbreak of World War II, it became an emergency hospital where the wounded were treated.

It was burned down in 1945;It was reconstructed through contributions of Methodist

Church in AmericaIt reopened in 1947 at the Harris Memorial. Miss Librada Javalera was the first Filipino of the school

6. Philippine Christian Mission Institute Schools of Nursing The United Christian Missionary Society of Indianapolis, Indiana-a Protestant organization of the Disciples of Christ Three Schools of Nursing

1.Sallie Long Read Memorial Hospital School of Nursing (Laoag, Ilocos Norte,1903)

2.Mary Chiles Hospital School of Nursing (Manila 1911). 3. Frank Dunn Memorial Hospital (Vigan, Ilocos Sur,1912)

Dr. W.N. Lemon established the Mary Chiles Hospital School of Nursing in a small house on Azcarraga, Sampaloc, Manila.

Miss Mary Chiles of Independence (Montana)

Donated a large sum of money with w/c the present building at Gastambide was bought.

Tuason Annex Was donated by Miss Esperanza Tuazon –a Filipino Philantropist.

7.San Juan de Dios Hospital School of Nursing (Manila,1913) Dr. Benito Valdez The board of Inspector and the Executive Board of the Hospital passed a

resolution to open a school of nursing.

Sister Taciana Trinanes

Was the first directress of the school.

The school is run by the Daughters of Charity

8.Emmanuel Hospital School of Nursing (Capiz,1913)

In 1913, the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society sent Dr. P.H.J. Lerrigo to Capiz for the purpose of opening a hospital, The school oferred a three year training course for an annual fee of P100.00.Miss Ciara Pedrosa was the first Filipino principal.

9.Southern Islands Hospital School of Nursing (Cebu, 1918)

The hospital was established in 1911 under the Bureau of Health.

The school opened in 1918

Anastacia Giron-Tupas, as the organizer.

Miss Visitacion Perez was the first principal.

Other Schools of nursing established were as follows:

Zamboanga General Hospital School of Nursing (1921) Chinese General Hospital School of Nursing (1921) Baguio General Hospital School of Nursing (1923) Manila Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing(1930) St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Iloilo City (1946) North General Hospital and School of Nursing (1946) Siliman University School of Nursing (1947)