The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The SM Foundation successfully conducted its 50th medical mission of the year in San Pablo City, delivering over 1,500 free healthcare services to residents across 10 barangays. This initiative, which was a collaborative effort involving various organizations such as SM Supermalls, the City Health Office, and the Philippine Red Cross, provided a wide range of services, including medical and optical consultations, dental services, various diagnostic tests like ECGs and X-rays, and laboratory screenings.
City Health Officer Dr. Mercydina Adbona Caponcon emphasized the vital role of these missions in promoting preventive healthcare, particularly for common conditions like hypertension and diabetes. She noted that such programs are essential for connecting residents with limited financial resources to necessary doctors, diagnostics, and government health programs before illnesses become life-threatening. Complementing this, SM Foundation resident physician Dr. Bless Bertos highlighted that the program’s focus extends beyond distributing free medicine to identifying early health risks and supporting patients in achieving long-term wellness.