Clinic offers lifeline to migrants through medical services and counseling amid limited gov’t support

Suzanna Hyrons, John Hyrons and Dr. Nico Yeung [Photo: Ricaela Diputado]

Migrant workers from the Philippines, Burma, Thailand, and other minority communities in Macau continue to rely on Hope Polyclinic for affordable medical care, as many lack access to the city’s public health system.

The clinic offers checkups, treatment for chronic and acute conditions, and counseling, while integrating spiritual support for patients in need.

The facility reopened last year after a two-year closure, in bid to continue the legacy of serving marginalized groups in Macau.

Hope Polyclinic are offering discounted medical services to blue card holders who do not receive free medical care in Macau and currently serves 245 patients.

After closing in 2023, the old clinic had 55,000 patients whose charts were returned to the health department.

The Christian clinic was established by American physician Bill Swan in 1980, with the intention of offering medical services while spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing prayers and medication for patients.

Help for minorities

Speaking to the Times, Pastor John Hyrons of Hope Polyclinic, said that the last American doctor had retired to the States, prompting him and his wife Suzanna Hyrons, the clinic’s manager, to carry on the legacy and continue reaching out to minority communities in Macau.

“We as Macau citizens have medical benefits, but minority groups – the Filipinos, the Burmese, and people from Thailand, all these blue card holders – they don’t have medical benefits,” Suzanna said.

Minority groups in Macau face challenges different from locals, such as language barriers, financial struggles, and being away from their families.

“A lot of those from the Philippines have contributed so much to Macau. Why can’t we help them? And not just Filipinos, but the Nepalese and Vietnamese,” the pastor said.

‘Man treats, but God Heals’

Suzanna says there are several good clinics in Macau, but theirs is distinctly a Christian clinic. “We do medical checkups, but we introduce Jesus Christ to patients because we believe there are physical and spiritual needs, and then the doctor treats them.”

The clinic’s motto is “Man treats, but God heals.”

The pastor reiterated, “It is a little bit different. Sometimes our doctors will pray for patients because they might have emotional needs. We believe healing comes from God.”

Dr. Nico Yeung, currently the clinic’s only practicing doctor, shared the medical services and support they provide, including family medicine, OB-GYN, treatment for acute or chronic diseases, and proper referrals.

Dr. Yeung noted, “Sometimes people do not know what sickness they are experiencing, so we help them figure it out and then refer them to the correct specialist.”

The doctor had previously worked at the former Hope Polyclinic for eight years and moved to University Hospital for two and a half years after the clinic closed.

Never turn away patients who cannot afford care

Pastor John recalled, “The whole medical group opened 43 years ago. We will never turn away anyone who cannot afford to pay and say we cannot treat you because you have no money. We help them by giving discounts.”

A charity fund has been set up by the clinic, and plans include more fundraising with a small charity event after the Chinese New Year holiday to promote the clinic.

“People can perform, dance, and sing to let others know the old Hope Clinic reopened. Right now, we are doing everything we can to promote it through Facebook and the leaflets we distribute,” Suzanna said.

She explained, “Because the clinic has been closed for two years, many people don’t know we reopened. This fundraising campaign will let people know the clinic still exists so they can continue to come for medical, physical, and spiritual care.”

Preventive talks

Dr. Yeung has held talks at churches emphasizing that preventive medicine is possible if patients are taught proper diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits to reduce illness.

She continues to give health talks at her church and helps people with chronic diseases, diabetes, and other conditions.

They hope to continue holding these talks regularly in other Christian churches around Macau.

Encountering patients

Dr. Yeung recalled a patient with ovarian cancer who was unable to walk.

“I remember one patient, a Filipino who had worked in Macau for a long time. When she came to see me, I found she had ovarian cancer at a very late, untreatable stage.”

She continued, “Because she was unable to walk, I went to her home to give her a checkup. At the end, I prayed for her and informed her family.”

The doctor wrote all the certifications needed for the patient to return to the Philippines, but the patient passed away soon after arriving.

Suzanna said the clinic also offers counseling for people who need support while going through tough times, being alone, and working in Macau while supporting families back home in the Philippines.

The pastor shared with the Times a case of a 25-year-old schizophrenic man who attends their church and clinic. “He calls me every day, and I talk with him for maybe two or three minutes, give him counseling words, and pray with him.” Ricaela Diputado

Caritas struggles to meet demand as 1,300 TNRs receive food aid

Staple household foods were distributed by Caritas last Sunday to 1,300 non-resident workers (TNRs) in need of assistance, despite Caritas’ monthly distribution schedule being uncertain due to food availability.

Speaking to the Times, Caritas secretary general Paul Pun stated, “For non-residents, it all depends on donations from supermarkets, individuals, or other benefactors.

According to Pun, Macau’s economic difficulties are pushing some long-time benefactors to temporarily stop donating.

To accommodate migrant workers’ usual day off, Caritas schedules food distribution on Sundays for three and a half hours, sometimes four, starting at 2 p.m. to allow more migrant workers to claim goods.

In preparation for these food distribution events, Pun said they rely on supermarkets for donations and require at least 1,000 attendees.

“The food we usually receive is close to expiring, so we don’t have much time in a month to determine how much to distribute. Within three or four days, we have to arrange staff and volunteers. If we don’t have volunteers or staff, we may not be able to accept the donation,” he said.

This year, Caritas is hoping to hold food distribution events every two months.

During the recent event held in the Fai Chi Kei area, TNRs received 1 kilogram of rice, peanut butter, fruits, and frozen xiao long bao – food aid intended to last 10 weeks.

Aside from food distribution, Caritas offers counseling, vocational training, childcare training, caretaking programs, barista and culinary training, Cantonese classes, health programs, and Macau law seminars to help the city’s migrant workers. RD