Rebuilding hope through medical care

In the wake of fires, victims are left not only with the loss of homes and possessions but also with physical and psychological challenges.

Understanding the need to provide comprehensive care to fire victims, especially those from low-income communities, the SM group, through SM Foundation, activated its medical mission to provide free medical checkups and medicines to victims of a recent fire in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City.

Over 50 fire victims, including those taking temporary shelter in the barangay gym, availed of the free medical services, which included general medical checkups. SM Foundation's mobile clinic was also stationed during the medical mission to provide ECGs and X-rays to beneficiaries. Those who needed medication were given free medicines.

SM Foundation also extended the medical mission to other members of the community, providing a total of 177 medical services.

Celna Inte and her aunt Susanita Embang, a senior citizen, were two of the fire victims who received medical attention during the medical mission.

Celna, now in her late 50s, has been religiously taking her maintenance medicine for five years now. Just like her aunt, she said their health and lives are the only things they have after the recent fire.

"Nasunog po talaga lahat kasama na po 'yung mga gamot, reseta at medical records namin" (Everything was lost in the fire including our medicines and medical records), Celna said.

But "Hindi po kami pinabayaan. Mayroon po kaming pagkain at tinutulugan" (We weren't abandoned, we were provided food and a place to sleep).

During the medical mission, both Celna and Susanita were able to go through general check-ups. They received health and nutrition advice as well as proper medicines for their concerns.

"Nakahinga rin po kami ng maluwag kahit papaano dahil na-check-up po kami. Nabawasan po ang worry ko po. Ang ibang gamot ko ay hindi basta-basta pwedeng inumin ng tuloy tuloy. Kailangan ng guidance ng doctor" (I've been able to breathe easy with our check-up. My worries have lessened. I need the guidance of a doctor to take my medicine), Celna said.

"Mas lalo po ngayong nasunugan kami, mas magiging mahirap at magastos po ang magpacheck-up at bumili ng pamalit sa mga nasunog na gamot. Malaking tulong po na natanggap po namin iyon lahat ng libre dito. Ang mahalaga lang ay ligtas at malakas kami — kaya naming bumangon" (When we were hit by fire, it became more difficult to go for check-up and buy medicine replacements. It's a great help to receive free medicine. The important thing is we are safe and strong — we are still able to get up), she added.