Philippine Daily Inquirer

Aone-stop shop for health and wellness

- By Din M. Villafuert­e @dinmveeINQ

Everybody seems to be living a fast-paced lifestyle these days. So fast, that many of us barely have time to attend to equally important things, such as setting a day aside to go to the doctor for a regular checkup.

Add the fact that having a busy way of life often makes us negligent of our own health, as we opt for easier and lazier choices such as not bothering to eat healthy or not engaging in physical activities.

“Lifestyle diseases” such as diabetes and obesity have become more prevalent in Filipinos, given the sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle that many of us lead. And it is for this reason that health maintenanc­e organizati­on MediCard Philippine­s Inc. came up with the MediCard Lifestyle Center.

The center aims to address the Filipinos’ growing need for a wellness facility, where everyone can avail of an allaround experience in health and fitness. MediCard targets to offer more services to its clients in just one venue.

“It’s a one-stop center where people can go for their wellness needs,” said MediCard president Dr. Nicky Montoya. “It’s really designed to give our members and even non-members a venue for managing their health and wellbeing.”

Standing on the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Gil Puyat Avenue, the MediCard Lifestyle Center is the first of its kind in an HMOsetting. Nestled right in the heart of a bustling central business district, it makes for an ideal wellness retreat that you can usually find within five-star resorts outside the city.

Upon entering the Medicard Lifestyle Center, clients are greeted by a homey and spacious lobby. The 5,138-sqm space features nature-inspired decor and beautiful zen gardens. Soothing ambient music can be heard throughout the facility.

“We want a welcoming, relaxing ambiance for our clients and not the intimidati­ng hospital environmen­t so they can heal, not only physically but spirituall­y as well,” Doc Nicky said.

The MediCard Lifestyle Center has an operating room, consultati­on rooms, imaging and xray rooms. It is also home to dental clinics; a fitness facility; pharmacy; Surya Fitness Yoga which offers basic yoga, hatha, vinyasa and pilates; a Skin and Body Clinic, a laser and aesthetic care center that provides a wide range of services such as laser treatment, painfree hair removal, nonsurgica­l facelift, body reshaping and contouring through the use of state-of-the-art equipment; and a Natural Rejuvenati­on Clinic.

“Since we do executive checkups here, we thought of going the extra mile and make health-promoting activities available,” shared MediCard’s president. “For example, if one of our doctors advises a client to go on a particular kind of diet, we have the means to offer that here. In that sense the center is a practical supplement to a traditiona­l HMO business,” he added.

Aside from corporate clients and members, MediCard also welcomes non-members at the Lifestyle Center, so that they can access quality and affordable outpatient medical services near their offices or residences.

“Wewant to dispel the notion that health and wellness are only for the rich,” explained Doc Nicky. “We want to make things simple and doable, even wellness.”

 ??  ?? An ideal wellness retreat right in the heart of bustling Makati
An ideal wellness retreat right in the heart of bustling Makati
 ??  ?? The Medical Lifestyle Center includes a pharmacy for its clients’ needs.
The Medical Lifestyle Center includes a pharmacy for its clients’ needs.
 ??  ?? A center for all your health and fitness needs
A center for all your health and fitness needs
 ??  ?? The yoga studio can hold 20 to 25 students comfortabl­y.
The yoga studio can hold 20 to 25 students comfortabl­y.

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