Daily TribunePreventive medicine remains the first and most important step in protecting one’s health.
SM Foundation’s medical mission includes a mobile laboratory that provides needed tests.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SM FOUNDATION
More than 1,500 free healthcare services were delivered to residents of San Pablo City as SM Foundation marked its 50th medical mission of the year.
The initiative expanded access to preventive healthcare for residents of barangays San Rafael, San Roque, San Nicolas, Soledad, Santisimo Rosario, San Isidro, Atisan, San Lucas, Barangay 6-D and Barangay 2-D.
The medical mission provided 835 medical consultations, 109 dental services, 150 optical consultations, 100 ECG tests, 84 X-rays, 92 bone scans, and free laboratory tests for blood sugar, cholesterol, uric acid and hemoglobin.
Helping make it possible were SM Supermalls, the City Health Office of San Pablo, SPC Medical, the Philippine Red Cross, the Provincial Health Office, San Pablo Infinity 104 MJF Lions Club International and Acebedo Optical.
City Health Officer Dr. Mercydina Adbona Caponcon said that the greatest value of medical missions lies in helping people detect illnesses before they become life-threatening.
“It is important even if we are not feeling sick or don’t show symptoms, we need to see the doctor to avoid complication,” Caponson said, emphasizing that delaying check-ups can allow conditions to worsen unnoticed.
Based on her experience, hypertension and diabetes remain among the most common health concerns encountered in the city. Many patients seek consultation only after complications have already developed or after stopping their medications due to financial constraints.
She stressed that preventive medicine remains the first and most important step in protecting one’s health.
Caponpon also noted that free medical missions help connect residents to doctors, diagnostic services, medicines and government health programs that many would otherwise struggle to access.
“What SM Foundation does is a big help to us and our townmates here in San Pablo because they usually cite as problem the lack of finances,” she added.
Meanwhile, resident physician of SM Foundation, Dr. Bless Bertos, explained that the program is not just providing free medicines but also focuses on identifying health risks early and guiding patients toward long-term wellness.
“It’s not only check-up that we give in our medical missions. It is our goal to give every partient a more complete care, from a correct diagnosis to needed tests up to providing medicines and other services that will help in their long-term health,” Bertos said.
As the medical mission is held annually at SM City San Pablo, healthcare providers are able to monitor patients’ progress over time. Those who require continued treatment are referred to their local health centers, ensuring they receive ongoing care beyond the medical mission.
