IN A productive start to 2026, SM Foundation successfully reached over 2,000 beneficiaries across Quezon City and Leyte through its series of medical missions.  PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SMFI
GLOBAL GOALS

Quality healthcare closer to grassroots communities

Since its inception, SMFI’s medical missions have served more 1.3 million patients.

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SM Foundation (SMFI) started 2026 with a medical mission that served more 2,000 people in Quezon City and Leyte in January.

Part of its campaign to bring quality healthcare closer to grassroots communities, SMFI’s long-running Health and Medical Programs (HMP) saw its mobile clinics and volunteer teams deployed to provide essential medical services, ranging from primary consultations to diagnostic tests, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to vital healthcare.

“By bringing these missions directly to the communities, we aim to promote preventive healthcare and alleviate the financial burden on families who have limited access to medical facilities,” said Connie Angeles, SMFI executive director for HMP.

The January leg kicked off in San Vicente, Quezon City, where 289 residents received medical attention. The mission was made possible through a collaboration with the Quezon City government and New Willore Pharma Corp.

The foundation then reached out to the Visayas region, conducting three consecutive missions in Leyte. At SM Center Ormoc, 654 patients were served in partnership with the local government of Ormoc and the Ormoc City Medical Society on 27 January.

In San Jose District, Tacloban City, 508 beneficiaries received care through the support of the local government of Tacloban and the local health center on 28 January.

The series concluded on 29 January in Barangay Rizal, Palompon, where 602 residents were served with the help of the local government of Palompon and BDO Network Bank.

Beneficiaries received free medical consultations and dental check-ups, chest X-rays and electrocardiograms via the SM Foundation Mobile Clinic, basic laboratory tests (glucose, uric acid, and cholesterol screening), and free medicines and vitamins under the “Gamot Para sa Kapwa” initiative.

Since its inception, SMFI’s medical missions have served more 1.3 million patients. This initiative runs alongside the foundation’s program of rehabilitating and upgrading public health centers nationwide to help meet PhilHealth accreditation standards.