Village Connect
SM Foundation recently turned over its 205th health center, bringing quality community healthcare closer to Filipinos from vulnerable communities in GenSan.
SM Foundation’s Health and Medical Programs are ramping up its mission to boost the potential of community health in the country.
Part of a three-decade-long health initiative, this program aims to revitalize health centers and ensure that they adhere to national health standards. But alongside this, it is also the mission of the foundation to make healthcare accessible to vulnerable populations and boost health worker morale. The recent beneficiary of the program is the Baluan Rural Health Unit (RHU), which serves over 30,000 residents from various barangays in General Santos City, South Cotabato.
The RHU previously struggled with inadequate facilities. Baluan RHU head Dr. Roland Basmillo recounted how their former buildings weren’t equipped to handle the growing population’s needs. Patients had no proper waiting area, often enduring the sun or rain, or even leaving without receiving care.
“Nung unang dating ko po dito sa health center, nakita ko po ang importansya ng health center. Mayroon din pong takot pumunta sa mga private clinics dahil may bayad,” he said, adding that they cater to the needs of senior citizens mostly with diabetes and hypertension, as well as children with fever and flu.
He said: “The old building was not that sufficient for the services being offered by a health center. Meron pa rin namang pumupuntang mga pasyente. Meron rin pong iba na mailap po pumunta kaya hindi nila naa-avail ang mga serbisyo na kailangan nila. Dahil po doon, minamabuti namin na bumaba sa komunidad para kahit papaano maibigay pa rin po ang mga serbisyo na kailangan nila.”
Refurbishing a health center, reinvigorating healthcare Through SM Foundation’s health and medical programs, Dr. Basmillo said they will be able to put their previous hurdles aside and focus on bringing healthcare closer to their community.
The revitalized Baluan RHU now features a spacious, purpose-designed layout that will allow for a more efficient flow within the center.
SM Foundation allotted ample seating and modern amenities to improve patient comfort. The waiting area can accommodate more people, reducing overcrowding and ensuring a more pleasant environment for those awaiting care. It also features exclusive areas for examination, consultation, and breastfeeding.
Baluan RHU head Dr. Roland Basmillo prepares the device for SM DigiKonsulta. The said innovation aims to help the center hold virtual consultations, create patients’ electronic medical record (EMR), and enroll them to PhilHealth Konsulta.
The SM DigiKonsulta, a Mobile Play Cabinet, and a Rainwater Catchment facility, unique features of SM Foundation health centers, are also installed for a renewed healthcare experience.
The center’s new layout also supports the RHU’s mission to expand its services.
“Sa ngayon po meron na tayong basic services na naibibigay kagaya ng mga routine immunization, medical consultation, and other health services. But with the new RHU po, nadagdagan po tayo ng rooms for Animal Bite Treatment, TB DOTs, Minor Surgeries, Laboratory and Pharmacy,” Dr. Basmillo smiled.
The new Baluan RHU now houses its own laboratory, making it easier for patients to get diagnostic tests and appropriate medications during their consultations.
The inclusion of a facility for treating animal bites and TB cases eliminates the need for patients to travel to distant centers, ensuring convenience and timely treatment. Dr. Basmillio also aims to boost emergency care with the modernized Minor Surgical Room. Equipped to handle various procedures, this facility is particularly crucial given Baluan’s proximity to a major highway.
The RHU can now respond more effectively to accidents, providing immediate care when minutes count. He also shared that one of the most helpful for operations is the new on-site laboratory and pharmacy. This will help residents served by the RHU to get diagnostic tests and medications during their consultations, streamlining the healthcare process and improving overall efficiency.
SM Foundation allots ample seating and modern amenities to improve patient comfort and accommodate more members of the community seeking care.
“Dito pa lang po sa RHU, maibibigay na po sa kanila agad ang serbisyo. Kasi most of the time ang iniinda ng mga pasyente ay yung pera na gagastusin nila para pumunta doon sa health facility na kung saan namin sila ire-refer. At least sa ngayon, nandito na po mismo, sa kanila na po mismo, nasa barangay na po nila mismo ang serbisyong kailangan nila,” he stressed.
As SM Foundation officially turned over the new Buluan RHU, Dr. Basmillo visualized patients with big smiles, eager to get the help they deserve in the new center.
“Tulad nga kanina, may nakita akong pasyente, ang sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Doc, ang ganda na po ng health center. Magpapa-checkup na talaga ako.’ So sa isang tao pa lang na iyon, makikita mo na yung eagerness na magpa-check up o pumunta ng health center na hindi na matatakot o mahihiya,” he shared.
“Inaasahan namin na mas marami pa ang pupunta kapag nakita nila ang bagong itsura ng center. And with the added services na idinagdag natin dito sa RHU, mas mae-engganyo po natin sila na huwag matakot pumunta,” he added.
SM Foundation has refurbished over 200 centers, bringing healthcare services closer to about 7 million patients. With the new Baluan RHU, more Filipinos have access to quality healthcare services.
