SM conducts 3rd medical mission for employees and their dependents
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – The welfare of employees is crucial in any organization as it affects their productivity and the organization’s growth. Concern for its employees and their dependents prompted SM through the SM Foundation to initiate a medical/dental and diagnostic mission in SM malls scheduled every quarter of the year in pre-determined malls.
Recently, at the Trade Hall of SM City Pampanga, SM employees and their dependents trooped to avail of services being provided during the medical/dental and diagnostic mission. It is the third of such kind held for their benefit.
According to SM Foundation executive director Connie Angeles it is a grand medical mission for employees and dependents saying, “We make sure that it is something special for them so we ask the International College of Surgeons and the International Academy of Medical Specialists to join us.”
Angeles said not all the medical services being offered during the medical mission are affordable to the employees if these are availed of in hospitals or clinics.
Dr. Gil Vicente, president of both the International College of Surgeons and International Academy of Medical Specialists, said they tie up with organizations with the same advocacy, instilling in the members social responsibility.
Program partners for the medical/ dental and diagnostic mission were the Philippine Red Cross, Department of Health, DSWD, Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko,
and Watsons. Also lending support were Ideal Vision and the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists Inc.
Representing Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko was former Senator Orly Mercado who shared that the role of Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko is on patient navigation and management. Through the public affairs program, continuity of what has been achieved in the medical mission is assured. Mercado said to a certain extent, a medical mission has its own fault. No continuity is provided. Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko provides the
continuity. “It is a critical mechanism because it provides follow through and then that’s when you begin to see the continuous help to
patients,” he added. This is especially true for patients who need full and longer assistance. Support has to be multi-sectoral that is why Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko cooperates with other hospitals and doctors who would be able to help patients with specific needs.
While other entities conduct their own medical missions, SM Foundation’s is comprehensive in nature. Aside from the various medical specialists available to extend assistance, the pharmacy boasts of medicines to be given to patients as prescribed by the doctors.
Project manager Albert Uy shared that SM Foundation allots budget to purchase the medicines to augment donations coming from pharmaceutical companies. The list of medicines in the pharmacy are regularly updated per doctors’ recommendations. A total of 1,737 patients were served.