Beverly Hills 6750

Hush is a word not needed by Dr. Abe Marinduque. Twenty years of practice, rigorous training at the Laser Vaginal Institute of Los Angeles and his share of celebrity as an aesthetic surgeon has made him an outspoken advocate for empowered sexuality and beauty. As cosmetic gynecologist and Medical Director of Beverly Hills 6750, he pioneered the groundbreaking BH Gynesthetics procedures in the Philippines.

A personal mission

Away from the limelight, Dr. Abe, as he is known to all, takes his advocacy to a deeper, more meaningful level – a personal crusade for women’s reproductive health. In the Philippines, where the mortality rate is dismal due to inferior healthcare systems, lack of availability of medicine, and poor delivery of health services, it seems a monumental task.

Yet Dr. Abe is determined. He tirelessly works with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA, formerly the UN Fund for Population Activities), going to provinces and far-flung areas to perform tubal ligations for free in the communities. In his first year of medical missions, he has made the rounds of Ifugao, Isabela, Samar, and Surigao.

“I’ve met people who have six to eight children and are very hard up in life. Some of the patients I’ve had waited so long to have someone help them,” he says.

In one mission in Ifugao, he recalls, “a woman I had performed surgery on embraced me and it felt so good. It’s an awesome experience. It compensates for everything – the tiring work, the long trip, operating for morning till night.”

Challenges faced

In a country where Catholic sentiment is strong, advocating contraceptive methods is largely taboo, and heated debate on the proposed Reproductive Health Bill is ongoing, Dr. Abe is perplexed at the state of affairs.

“What’s curious is that in Rome, where population growth is low and the economy is good, birth control is not an issue. However, in the Philippines, where there’s poverty and the population growth is high, it’s a big issue!”

Dr. Abe leads the Philippine General Hospital’s Family Planning Department, and is in talks with other doctors in the Family Planning Consortium under UNFPA to organize a Family Planning Society for training, research, and delivery of family planning methods.

“We plan to invite organizations and individuals who practice and advocate family planning in the Philippines,” he explains. He adds that he hopes to talk with Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona regarding better coordination of family planning organizations in the Philippines.

The power of choice

When asked about his personal view on family planning methods, Dr. Abe answers, “What I want is for people to be able to consider their choices. My stand is that people should examine their conscience. If they have the resources to take care of more children, go ahead.”

Does the choice include the ultimate choice, then? He emphasizes, “I’m not for abortion; however, there are other options. They have free will. All they have to do is exercise it.”

Indeed, this is the same perspective that Dr. Abe brings to his practice at Beverly Hills 6750. He says, “The advocacy is very empowering; it helps women take control of their body and their lives.”

If encouraging people to weigh their options is tough, Dr. Abe is realistic in his expectations: “You cannot save the world. It’s one woman at a time.”

In photo, L-R: Beverly Hills 6750’s Medical Director Dr. Abe Marinduque, General Manager Suzette Hahn-Lopez, and Managing Director Dr. Eduardo Santos

Beverly Hills 6750 is located at the 11/F Ayala Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines. Call +632.893.6750/+632.893.8888 or visit www.bh6750.com for more details.