Village Connect
For families across four barangays in Quezon City, healthcare has always been close to home—but not always easy to access. At the San Vicente Health Center, nearly 15,000 residents depend on primary care services, yet for years, the growing number of patients tested the limits of a facility built for a smaller community. Crowded waiting areas, aging rooms, and seasonal flooding made every clinic day a challenge for both patients and health workers.
Despite these hurdles, the center’s staff never lost sight of its purpose: to serve people with dignity and care. Medical officer Dr. Dane Calica believes that a health center should be “strong, inclusive, modern, and patient-centered,” one that supports wellness from childhood to old age. District 4 Health Officer Dr. Marizel Wong shares this belief, seeing public health as a calling that demands both compassion and commitment.
Their vision found strong support when SM Foundation partnered with the Quezon City local government to reimagine the San Vicente Health Center. The project went beyond repairing walls and roofs—it reshaped how care is delivered. New consultation rooms, wider waiting areas, a pharmacy, and a dental clinic now give patients more comfort and privacy. Special areas were also created for the elderly, pregnant women, and children, ensuring that vulnerable groups receive focused attention.
One of the most meaningful additions is the adolescent room, a quiet and confidential space where young people can talk freely about mental health, growth, and reproductive concerns. Dr. Calica explains that many teenagers hesitate to speak in open clinics, so having a youth-friendly room helps them seek care earlier and without fear. A breastfeeding room now supports new mothers, while a minor surgical room allows small procedures to be done safely on site.
Technology also plays a role in this transformation. Through SM Foundation’s health programs, the center now uses DigiKonsulta, expanding access to medical advice and services. These improvements allow the facility to meet Department of Health standards for Primary Care Facility accreditation.
Dr. Wong notes that the renovated center feels more welcoming—almost like a second home. Patients who once delayed checkups now come earlier, making prevention and early diagnosis possible. “When people come sooner, we save more lives,” she said.
For the health workers, the changes are just as important. Better spaces and tools make their daily work easier and more effective. As Dr. Calica puts it, investing in health today is investing in tomorrow—because when a community is cared for, its future grows stronger.
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