IMU University Strengthens Its Global Service Commitment Through Hands for Vitality Mobility Mission in the Philippines

3 Mar 2026

From 25 January to 7 February 2026, 18 chiropractic students and 2 faculty members from IMU University embarked on a two-week international mobility and community outreach mission in the Philippines under the Hands for Vitality initiative.

Led by Senior Lecturer and Chiropractic Mobility Coordinator Yi Kai Wong, alongside Senior Lecturer, Janice Chan, the delegation delivered chiropractic care across nine missions in Antipolo City, Pasig City, Camarines Sur, Navotas City, Caloocan City, Quezon City, Pampanga, as well as at an Air Force camp and a Marine camp.

The mission was conducted in collaboration with the Hands for Vitality team, the Camara Institute for Chiropractic Sciences, and Intercare, in close coordination with the respective Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines. Outreach activities were delivered across urban, rural, and uniformed service communities, reflecting IMU University’s ongoing commitment to global health engagement, service-learning, and improving access to care for underserved populations.

Some Facts about the Mission

18 IMU University chiropractic students

2 IMU University faculty members

Approximately 2,945 patients

6,267 conditions

9 Outreach Missions

Service-Learning in Action

Throughout the two-week mission, students provided supervised chiropractic assessments and care to community members who would otherwise have limited or no access to such services. In total, the team managed approximately 2,945 patients presenting with 6,267 conditions across the nine outreach missions. Conditions encountered ranged from chronic musculoskeletal pain and occupational strain to mobility limitations affecting daily function and work productivity.

Beyond clinical exposure, the experience served as a transformative service-learning platform. Students were required to adapt techniques to resource-limited environments, communicate across cultural contexts, and collaborate closely with local healthcare personnel.

4 of the 18 students had previously participated in an earlier cycle of the mobility programme and returned for a second mission, demonstrating sustained commitment to service and continuity of community engagement.

Reflecting on the broader impact of the initiative, Janice Chan (in the photo on the left) shared:

“Hands for Vitality is more than a clinical outreach. It is a powerful platform for developing empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professional responsibility. Watching our students step confidently into unfamiliar environments and serve with humility reminds us why service-learning is such an essential component of healthcare education.”

Yi Kai Wong (in the photo on the right) added:

“This mobility programme embodies the spirit of chiropractic as a people-centred profession. Our students learn that healthcare is not confined to well-equipped clinics. It is about adaptability, compassion, and a willingness to serve where the need is greatest. Each mission strengthens not only their clinical competence, but also their sense of social accountability.”

Reflecting on the collaboration, Dr Martin Camara, founder of Hands for Vitality, the Camara Institute for Chiropractic Sciences, and Intercare shared:

“Hands for Vitality was built on the belief that quality chiropractic care should be accessible to every community, regardless of geography or circumstance. Our continued partnership with IMU University demonstrates how academic institutions and community organisations can work hand in hand to expand access, strengthen capacity, and create sustainable impact for the populations we serve.”

Expanding Access, Building Connections

Across the nine outreach locations, the team worked closely with local healthcare workers, volunteers, and community leaders. The collaboration reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and culturally responsive care delivery.

The mission also strengthened ties between IMU University and community partners in the Philippines, contributing to a growing network of global engagement within complementary and alternative medicine education.

Highlights from the mission were featured on social media platforms and partner channels, showcasing the impact of the outreach:

Further information about the initiative can be found at:
https://www.instagram.com/handsforvitality.ph
https://handsforvitality.cics-edu.ph/

A Call to Serve

Hands for Vitality continues to welcome healthcare students, practitioners, and volunteers who share a vision of expanding access to care and addressing health inequities through compassionate service.

IMU University remains committed to nurturing graduates who are not only clinically competent, but also globally aware, socially responsible, and service-oriented. As the programme grows, future mobility cycles will continue to offer students meaningful opportunities to contribute to communities beyond borders.

For those inspired to be part of a greater purpose, Hands for Vitality stands as a reminder that healthcare, at its core, is an act of service.

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