When she was a medical intern in Marinduque. Dr. Fe del Mundo witnesses how people flocked to the lone provincial health officer. She said the health officer, who had zero background in pediatrics, gave only one diagnosis regardless of symptoms—worms—and prescribed only one remedy: purgatives. This left a deep impression on the young intern who realized the dire need for competent pediatric specialists, especially for the underserved rural areas.
Diminutive as she is, Dr. del Mundo has towering achievements and a lifetime of first behind her. She is known for being the first Filipina (and the first Asian, for that matter) to get accepted at the Harvard Medical School. She was the first woman National Scientist (1977), recognition she received for her studies on the immunization of children against major viral disease like poliomyelitis, measles, and German measles. Dr. del Mundo was also instrumental in the development of a low-cost incubator and a fluorescent device designed to relieve jaundice in babies.
She received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for outstanding public service in 1977; the Elizabeth Blackwell Award for “outstanding service to mankind” in 1966; and a slew of other awards from local and international bodies, all acknowledging Dr. del Mundo’s valuable contribution to pediatrics. (J A Aparte)
Sources
► Blography of Fe del Mundo, 1977 Ramon Magsaysay Awad for Public Service, 31 August 1977, http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Biography/BiographyDelMundoFe.htm
►Citation for Fe del Mundo. 1977 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. 31 August 1977, http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationDelMundoFe.htm
► Department of Science and Technology, del Mundo, Fe. http://www.nast.dost.gov.ph/pro_delmundo.htm
Visual courtesy: top100pinoys