SM Foundation upgrades rural clinics with DigiKonsulta

For decades, community health centers survived on paper — handwritten charts, overstuffed logbooks, and crowded filing cabinets forming the backbone of daily operations. While serviceable, the paper-based system slowed healthcare professionals: locating a single patient record could take several minutes, misplaced charts derailed schedules, and limited storage forced staff to improvise filing solutions in already cramped spaces.

Through continuous community consultations, SM Foundation began pivoting toward redefining care delivery in communities through DigiKonsulta, a key component of the foundation’s Wellness Center Program.

Bringing health centers into the digital age

Alongside infrastructure upgrades, DigiKonsulta was designed to help strengthen health centers for the digital era and support compliance, accreditation, and licensing requirements from government agencies. The initiative serves as both an upgrade and an equalizer, ensuring even small or remote facilities can meet modern healthcare standards.

Visible changes on the ground

At the Krus na Ligas Health Center — one of the facilities where DigiKonsulta has been rolled out — healthcare professionals shared that the transformation is noticeable from the moment patients enter. Consultation rooms have been refurbished, equipment upgraded, pharmacy and storage areas organized, patient flow improved, and digital systems are steadily replacing the old paper trail.

For center physician Dr. James Demetria, the shift has greatly improved efficiency and morale.

“Pumasok na tayo sa digital age kung saan expected ang mabilis na pag-access, seamless collaboration at matibay na security sa mga data at records. Sa bagong sitwasyon o panahong ito, naging limitation ng lumang sistema ang pagiging mano-mano ng mga records dahil ito ay masyadong time consuming. Imbis na makakapagbigay ka pa ng iba pang services, gugugulin mo yung oras mo sa paghahanap ng mga records,” he said.

The move to digital records has drastically reduced the time staff spend searching for charts or re-documenting information. With a few clicks, medical histories and treatment notes are readily accessible, allowing faster consultations, more efficient follow-ups, and better continuity of care.

“Mas mabilis na naming nakikita ang records ng pasyente. Mas maayos ang documentation; nabawasan nang malaki ang oras na ginugugol sa papeles,” he said.

Teleconsultation has also become especially important for patients unable to visit during heavy rains, emergencies, or periods of isolation — extending access beyond physical walls.

“Malaki ang naiambag ng DigiKonsulta ng SM Foundation. Nagagamit po namin ito sa teleconsult at sa mga times na hindi po maganda ang panahon, naibibigay pa rin po namin ang aming services thru teleconsultation,” Dr. James added.

Scaling nationwide

Fifteen other facilities under the SM Foundation’s Wellness Center Program now have DigiKonsulta, including clinics in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), where access is hampered by distance and limited resources.

In South Cotabato, the renovated Baluan Rural Health Unit and Polomolok East Community Clinic now offer expanded services — from TB therapy to laboratory diagnostics — supported by DigiKonsulta’s telemedicine and electronic medical record systems.

The digital shift has eased the burden on health workers, allowing them to devote more time to counseling, health education, and direct patient care.

“Sa tulong po ng DigiKonsulta, nabawasan ang administrative burden kaya mas nakakapag-focus kami sa tunay na layunin. Ang pag-aalaga at pag-educate sa aming mga pasyente. Mas confident din kami dahil alam naming accurate at updated ang data,” Dr. James said.

For communities long challenged by limited healthcare access, programs like DigiKonsulta provide a gateway to inclusive and reliable care. For Dr. James and the thousands of patients served each year, the digital transformation turns progress into tangible everyday hope.