INVESTING in health care has never been more important than now, with the tough lessons of the recent pandemic.

This brings to light the importance of access and what the private sector has been doing in helping bridge the health care socio-economic gap. For SM and its foundations, this means better community access to quality primary health care in partnership with national and local governments.

Medical missions allow access, especially of remote or economically disadvantaged communities, to medical care, education and support.

SM Foundation's (SMFI) medical missions provide free consultations, basic laboratory tests, dental checkups and proper dosage of appropriate medicine.

SM Foundation reached an important milestone by conducting more than 1,600 medical missions, benefiting nearly 1.3 million patients year to date.

In Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa, a community birthing facility, serving thousands of residents and indigenous people, had to halt operations in 2018 as it was unable to meet government health requirements.

SM Foundation supported the community by revamping the birthing facility in 2023, enabling it to obtain the required licenses to resume operations. Dedicated rooms and spaces for storage, scrub-up, breastfeeding, consultations, birthing, cleanup and sterilization, as well as labor and recovery wards, were added.

It also introduced a rainwater harvesting system and installed energy-efficient lighting fixtures and appliances.

As the group reaches out to more communities, it aims to effectively contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) by consistently providing equitable access to quality basic services toward a better and healthier tomorrow.

Read The Rest at :