SM Foundation ramps up its mission to boost the potential of community health in the country with its health and medical programs.

Part of a three-decade-long health initiative, the programs aim to revitalize health centers and ensure that they adhere to national health standards.

Alongside this, it is also the mission of the foundation to make health care accessible to vulnerable populations and boost health worker morale.

Spreading social good, SM Foundation recently turned over its 207th health center, bringing quality community health care closer to Filipinos from vulnerable communities in South Cotabato.

One of the latest beneficiaries is the Baluan Rural Health Unit (RHU), which serves over 30,000 residents from various barangays in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

The RHU previously struggled with inadequate facilities. Baluan RHU head Roland Basmillo, MD, recounted how their former buildings were not equipped to handle the growing population's needs. Patients had no proper waiting area, often enduring the sun or rain, or even leaving without receiving care.

"I saw the importance of the health center when I first got here. People fear going to private clinics because there is cost [even for consultation]," he said in Filipino, adding that they cater to the needs of senior citizens mostly with diabetes and hypertension, as well as children with fever and flu.

"The old building was not that sufficient for the services being offered by a health center. Few patients come and many prefer to stay away rather than avail of the services they need. That is why we deemed it better to go down to the communities so that in one way or another we can still provide the services they need," he said.

Refurbishing a health center, reinvigorating health care

Through SM Foundation's health and medical programs, Basmillo said they can put their previous hurdles aside and focus on bringing healthcare closer to their community.

The revitalized Baluan RHU now features a spacious, purpose-designed layout that allows for a more efficient flow within the center.

SM Foundation allotted ample seating and modern amenities to improve patient comfort. The waiting area can accommodate more people, reducing overcrowding and ensuring a more pleasant environment for those awaiting care. It also features exclusive areas for examination, consultation and breastfeeding.

Unique features

The SM DigiKonsulta, a mobile play cabinet and a rainwater catchment facility, which are unique features of SM Foundation health centers, are also installed for a renewed healthcare experience.

The center's new layout also supports the RHU's mission to expand its services.

"There are basic services now that we can provide such as routine immunization, medical consultation and other health services. Added to the new RHU are rooms for animal bite treatment, tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy Shortcourse (TB DOTS), minor surgeries, laboratory and pharmacy," Basmillo smiled.

The inclusion of a facility for treating animal bites and tuberculosis cases eliminates the need for patients to travel to distant centers, ensuring convenience and timely treatment.

The Baluan RHU head said they also aim to boost emergency care with the modernized minor surgical room. Equipped to handle various procedures, this facility is particularly crucial given Baluan's proximity to a major highway.

The RHU can now respond more effectively to accidents, providing immediate care when minutes count.

Basmillo also shared that one of the most helpful for operations is the new on-site laboratory and pharmacy. This will help residents served by the RHU to get diagnostic tests and medications during their consultations, streamlining the healthcare process and improving overall efficiency.

As SM Foundation officially turned over the new Buluan RHU, Basmillo visualized patients with big smiles, eager to get the help they deserve in the new center.

"A patient told me, 'Doc, our health center is now beautiful, I will surely visit for a check-up.' That was just one person. There is now the eagerness to have a check-up or come for consultation and no longer afraid or shy to visit the health center," he shared.

"We expect that more residents will come once they see the refurbished health center. And with the added services, they will be encouraged to avail consultation or check-up for themselves and their families," Basmillo intoned in Filipino.

Serving GIDA, IP communities

Meanwhile, more residents of geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in Polomolok, South Cotabato now have access to improved healthcare services with the expansion of its community clinic.

The Polomolok East Community Clinic (PECC), which serves as the annex facility of the Polomolok Municipal Health Department, recently underwent a major renovation project through the collaboration between the Mahintana Foundation, SM Foundation, and the local government unit of Polomolok.

"There was really a lack of assistance at the health center before. But with the renovation, it will greatly help us indigenous people, especially in taking care of our health," the municipal tribal chieftain Danny Umali said.

Expanded services to reach wider populations

The upgraded PECC now features a wider range of medical services to cater to the needs of the nine barangay (villages), with four identified as GIDA or areas facing challenges due to their remote location and limited access to resources.

Through the rehabilitation, the communities (with around 50,000 patients) may receive broader and more improved services, from its newly renovated admission area, animal bite and treatment center, dental clinic, laboratory, pharmacy, family planning room, counseling room, consultation rooms, physicians room, triage area, treatment room, TB DOTS, records room, and breastfeeding room.

SM Foundation also included new facilities such as the Felicidad T. Sy areas for elderly and children, handwashing area, rainwater catchment system, and a mobile play cabinet that better suit the needs of the community.

Through the collaboration, PECC is set to improve the overall patient and health care provider experience.

Upgraded features include fresh paint throughout the facility, consultation rooms with partitions for increased privacy, an upgraded pharmacy with a wider selection of medicines, improved lighting and ventilation, dedicated hydration and nebulization areas, comfortable breastfeeding room with couches, air conditioning, and a refrigerator for milk storage.

Foundation for health and prosperity

This revamped health care center, built through collaboration, now provides improved medical services to residents, especially IP communities and those living in GIDAs.

SM Foundation has refurbished over 200 centers, bringing healthcare services closer to about seven million patients. With the new Baluan RHU, more Filipinos have access to quality healthcare services.