To lessen the risk of exposure of the elderly and other vulnerable residents of SM Development Corp. (SMDC) properties, SM Foundation is bringing basic health services close to their residence.
It set up medical caravans in spacious areas within the SMDC properties, where social distancing was closely monitored, as well as other necessary safety protocols, such as wearing of masks and personal protective equipment.
In addition to free medical consultation and medicines, SM Foundation also conducted bloodletting activities in cooperation with the Philippine Blood Center (PBC).
For 2019, more than 800 SM employees and external stakeholders were able to donate blood to the PBC through the efforts of SM Foundation. Through the said initiative, almost 2,500 lives were saved as noted by Jerick Laxamana, blood donor recruitment officer of the Department of Health (DOH) – PBC.
SM Foundation, through its Health and Wellness Program, upgrades public health centers in its host communities, complemented by its medical caravans across the country. To date, it has renovated more than 160 health and wellness centers and served more than one million patients in medical missions.
