HOPE LEADS THE WAY
DR. VICKI BELO leads The Belo Medical Group as it wages war on the global pandemic, armed with a genuine heart for service and a wise sensibility for the Filipino people
What started as a citywide epidemic has expeditiously spread through almost 200 countries and affected more than a million people worldwide in just three months. These events have pushed both governments and the private sector to aid their communities. The Belo Medical Group Founder, Dr. Vicki Belo was quick to her feet, halting nationwide operations at the dawn of the pandemic, even before the government-mandated quarantine. “Our employees and patients’ safety is of utmost importance to me. Since our business involves close and personal contact with patients, our staff and patients are more vulnerable. For this reason, I took it upon myself to close our operations even before the government ordered a lockdown,” she says.
The company’s proactive solution to the overwhelming changes has given them an advantage as they leverage technology and their very own resources in helping not only their community but everyone else within their reach. “Naturally, we anticipated that we will have no revenue while our clinics are closed. However, we first focused our efforts on how we can contribute to society.” The group has immediately gathered all their remaining PPEs and medical supplies and procured new ones, for donation and distribution to medical personnel who have been facing a shortage of these essentials needed to prevent the virus from spreading. “We feel that during times of crisis, it’s important to help and think of the greater good first.”
With food establishments ceasing operations, the Belo Medical Group has committed to providing 1000 meals every day to more than 20 hospitals and LGUs until April 15, the supposed end of the nationwide community quarantine. According to the doctor, it is most important to provide healthy food to the people most vulnerable to the virus to keep their immune system at its optimum level. She shares, “Hayden found Cloud Eats, a company that provided healthy and deliciously cooked food. Cloud Eats gave us a huge discount on food costs.”
AHEAD OF THE TIMES
“You’ve heard of people saying you are what you eat. We believe that you are also what you breathe,” Vicki explains. Last year, the company became first in the country to employ Air Intellipure, a patented process that is 40 times more effective than the HEPA filters commonly used in hospitals. The system was developed under a US government grant specifically created to efficiently filter out strains of the viruses. As a PUREcertified establishment, their clients are breathing only pure and clean air, with Ozone Therapy that kills all foreign substances at bay for 3 days and the Intellipure Shield which prevent these from growing on any surface area of the clinic.
Safety is important not only for their clients but also for their employees. “We made sure that we regularly monitor our staff. We feel that this is important because we want to continue to engage them and involve them even if we don’t physically see them. In a time of uncertainty, we need to be present and we want them to feel that we got their backs.” As a service-based organization, the company continues to care for their client’s overall wellbeing through over-the-line consultations with their staff and doctors and by providing them relevant news and information about the pandemic.
THROUGH TRYING TIMES
With the common good in mind and despite limited resources, the organization continues to help in any way they can. “I think the private sector has done an enormous job helping our frontliners. In our small way, we really try to do our part because it’s the only way we can get through this crisis. However, our resources and movements are also limited. The government needs to step up their efforts because they have the means and the power to help more people. I pray that they can finally get their budgets flowing so they can help everyone out there.”
As the company faces one of humanity’s biggest challenges, Vicki is positive and encouraging, “Let’s not stop hoping and let’s not stop helping others. This will eventually come to an end. As they say, 'This too shall pass'. We’ve weathered so many storms—figuratively
“Personally, I want to look back at this experience and know in my heart that I did my best to help others.
Calamities can bring out the worst or best in us. I choose the latter.”
and literally. We will all rise from this, a little hurt, but definitely a lot stronger as a nation.” With faith in Filipino resilience, the doctor introspects to a choice each of us makes as an individual and as a nation. “Personally, I want to look back at this experience and know in my heart that I did my best to help others. Calamities can bring out the worst or best in us. I choose the latter.”
Vicki appeals to all Filipinos, “To those who continue to fight on, don’t stop. Everything that you do matters, no matter how small of an effort it is. You create a ripple effect and you’ll touch the lives of many because of your small deed because we are all connected. Let’s be kinder to each other, more grateful for the things that we have, and the freedom that we enjoy. I hope that we’ll be more grounded, knowing that no matter how powerful we seem to be, we are all still under the great mercy of Our God.”
With extreme changes drastically affecting each of our lives, working together as a community for the greater good gives us an advantage and puts us beyond downfall. It gives us the courage and the strength to face the battle with high hopes. “I know that this will change a lot of things,” shares Vicki. “Mindsets have been altered, priorities have changed, and lessons were learned. The world will never be the same again. I hope that we don’t forget the lessons too quickly so that people’s sacrifices won’t go to waste.”