132nd SM wellness center inaugurated in Lahug Cebu
LAHUG, Cebu City – In pursuit of its commitment to provide quality and excellent health services to the community it serves, the SM Foundation undertook the renovation of the Lahug Health Center to better address the health concerns of the residents of Barangay Lahug.
The newly refurbished center houses an activity center for children, lounge for the elderly, dental clinic, consultation rooms, labor and recovery rooms, pharmacy, nurses and midwives’ station, reception and waiting area, TB DOTS Center and birthing center to conform with PhilHealth’s requirements for accreditation.
This is the first barangay health service unit established among the 80 barangays of Cebu City. It caters to 39,573 families in 48 sitios, the biggest barangay in the city. Its renovation and improvement showcased a strong and cordial public-private partnership in pursuit of a healthy community.
Cebu City deputy mayor for health Mary Ann Delos Santos said that “a collaborative social participation by the private sectors such as SM Foundation can make a significant difference in the quality of life by raising the people’s awareness to health.”
The barangay health center was built through the efforts of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan, a beloved son of Cebu. More than four decades later, the renovation was facilitated with the help of SM Prime Holdings Inc. vice president Marissa Fernan, daughter of the former Chief Justice.
The Lahug Health Center was upgraded into a main health center and is now considered a one-stop shop to house the first ever established Barangay Behavioral Health Unit which will address the behavioral related problems leading to use of drugs, suicides, depression, domestic violence, and family conflicts, among others.
The inauguration and formal turnover were led by Councilor Margot Osmena (wife of Mayor Tommy Osmena), Deputy Mayor for Health Mary Ann Delos Santos, Hazel Ann Muana Empleo, barangay councilor for health; Alice Marie Aycardo, asst. health officer and OIC, Lahug Health Center; Marissa Fernan, VP, SM Prime Holdings; Renato Leduna, Kristine Sena and Teresa Mempin represented SM City, Cebu and SM Supermalls; SM Foundation trustee and head communications affairs Ramon “Chito” Macapagal, trustee of SM Foundation and head of corporate affairs of SMIC and Connie Angeles, senior VP and executive director for health and medical programs.