BAGUIO CITY May 08 – A total of 1,500 patients have been served during the two-day free medical and dental mission conducted by SM Foundation at SM City Baguio and in Bell Church, La Trinidad, Benguet recently.
Karren Nobres, SM City Baguio public relations manager, SMFI initiated “Gamot Para Sa Kapwa”, a comprehensive medical and dental mission, in response to the need of the indigent families to be provided with complete healthcare and part of its corporate social responsibility to the areas where they operate.
SM Foundation has offered free chest X-ray, ECG, bone density scanning, blood pressure monitoring, medical consultation, dental services and free medicines to patients in cooperation with Baguio General Hospital, Philippine Military Academy, Baguio Health Department, Department of Social Welfare and Development, University of the Cordilleras, 911 On Call and the City Government of Baguio.
“We are elated over the increase in the number of people patronizing the conduct of the medical and dental mission. At least, we are able to cater to the medical needs of our people within the communities where we intend to render service,” Nobres stressed.
According to her, SM Foundation has already organized 1,057 medical missions assisting 828,484 patients in indigent communities since 2001 until May 2015.
For SM Foundation, caring for the sick and the less fortunate has gone beyond traditional. It means promoting the total well-being of individuals by providing them basic health services and most of all, encouraging them to have a positive outlook despite life’s many challenges.
SM Foundation Inc., SM’s outreach and community service organization, has four areas of advocacy: education through scholarship and donations of schoolhouses, mall-based outreach programs, health, and community projects. Its guiding principle through the years has been People Helping People, as it undertakes projects with civic organizations, government agencies, and the media.
Nobres assured that SM Foundation will continue to conduct similar services in the Baguio and Benguet areas in the future considering the needs of the people for continuing health care assistance among others.
By Dexter A. See
