SM Foundation partners with UNIQLO to uplift lives one health center at a time
IN a world where collaboration holds immense power, the impact of partnerships is truly remarkable. It is in the collective effort of individuals and organizations that we witness transformative changes unfold, especially for those often overlooked by society.
Amidst the ever-evolving landscape, SM Foundation and UNIQLO Philippines have stood as steadfast partners, united in their mission to create positive social change. Since 2012, their partnership has yielded remarkable results, implementing collaborative projects that have broken barriers and uplifted socially vulnerable individuals.
Together, these two forces have pioneered initiatives in disaster relief, pandemic response, education, environment, and health. Their unwavering commitment to spreading social good has sparked unimaginable transformations, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and communities alike.
While continuously taking steps working on the ground, the two organizations have seen the challenges of low-income families. With little to no resources, they often barely have enough to spend on things that are vital to living a healthy lifestyle, such as nutritious food, health care, and health literacy.
In times of health emergencies or sickness, vulnerable individuals turn to the services of local barangay health centers, rural health units, or public hospitals. However, these public health facilities frequently struggle with insufficient resources such as outdated infrastructures and inadequate equipment .
To help address these issues, three health centers in Bicol, three in Rizal, four in Bulacan, and two in Cagayan Valley were transformed by SM Foundation and UNIQLO Philippines from late 2022 to early 2023 alone. Alongside the physical upgrade of the centers is the rise of the renewed optimism and hope of their respective health workers and patients. One of them is midwife Rebecca Galves from the Baliwag Rural Health Unit 3.
Rebecca vividly recalled the previous state of their health center: “Because it’s crowded inside, we cannot accommodate all the patients because social distancing is still requjired. Before our patients had to wait under the sun in the rain.”
“There were three beds placed in one room along with other equipment and documents that could no longer fit in the cabinets. And since it’s crowded, sometimes the waste products can already be found under the bed. We could not provide the comfortable environment and the service that we would have wanted to deliver” she said.
Today, they can put all of this behind and are now more comfortable and fired up to serve more patients.
“Now that the center has been renovated, the quality of our service will definitely improve. We have a place where our patients can wait comfortably. We can now isolate patients based on their condition and needs. Local residents who visit the center will see how modern the facility is because it is now clean and well-ventilated,” she shared.
A fellow Bulaceño of Rebecca, Hazel Esquilona, was one of the first patients served by the newly renovated RHU I in Baliwag. While it was her first time in the new center, her family has long relied on its healthcare services.
As a single mother of three, she was forced to bring one of her daughters to the RHU as she had no money to pay for hospital fees and medicine.
“My daughter became ill and the doctors suspected it was due to UTI. I did not have any money then but because of this health center, my daughter had her urine and blood tested.” Hazel recalled how the center saved her child’s life. “Even if we had no money at that time, we were given anitbiotics and paracetamol for free.”
Barely a year after, her other child needed an anti-rabies vaccine. Upon arriving, she was surprised to see the upgrades to their community health facility.
“Besides the service being free, it’s really comfortable inside. We are definitely more comfortable because of the new facilities like better seats, and an aircon. It’s like being in a mall,” she said, adding that she is now more confident to go to the RHU for their family’s medical health needs.
Hazel’s story exemplifies the transformative outcomes of the partnerships. The renovated health centers, equipped with upgraded facilities and enhanced services, have created an environment of comfort, efficiency, and hope. Through the collaborative efforts of SM Foundation and Uniqlo, vulnerable families have gained access to quality healthcare and a revitalized sense of optimism, that can shape a healthier future for all.