Health unit gets 360
The refurbished KNL Health Center will have far-reaching impact on the community it serves.
Health workers of KNL health center says the upgrades provided to the health center will give the personnel an opportunity to improve their craft.
Photograph courtesy of KNL
Like many other public health care facilities in the country, the KNL Health Center — which caters to over 73,000 residents of three barangays in the city — has been showing signs of disrepair.
Patients, which can reach up to 100 daily, either have to wait in line outside the facility or stay in a dark and often crammed waiting area along with others who require treatment. Medical supplies, due to lack of enough storage, can be found in every available space of the two-story facility.
For many in the community, a dilapidated health center would not inspire them to prioritize their own well-being.
This is expected to change in the coming months.
Recently, the SM Foundation, through its Health and Medical Programs, formally turned over the renovated and refurbished KNL Health Center to the government of Quezon City.
The health center, which underwent 13 weeks of comprehensive overhaul, has been transformed into a facility that is likened to private clinics.
New medical tools and equipment have been provided, including a minor operating room that will allow the health center to upgrade its status into a primary health care facility.
An updated layout also paved the way for better spaces both for the workers and the clients, including a dedicated breastfeeding area, a lounge for the elderly and pregnant patients, a children’s play area, pharmacy, dental clinic, and a Teen Hub to provide a safe space for adolescents requiring guidance and counselling.
An emergency shower and eyewash station were also installed to provide on-the-spot decontamination on patients during emergencies.
Environment-friendly and sustainable solutions have also been incorporated in the facility, including a rainwater catchment system, energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures, and air-cleaning paints.
SM Foundation also equipped the center with SM DigiKonsulta, which will support their digitization efforts and the planned roll out of a teleconsult program.
The refurbished KNL Health Center will have far-reaching impact to the community it serves.
Not only will it improve the overall experience of the facility’s regular clients, but it will also encourage others to visit the health center and learn about the different programs and services.