Close to 100,000 Aklanons in three municipalities now have access to better health services, thanks to a corporate citizenship initiative of the country’s largest bank.
BDO Foundation recently completed the rehabilitation of Nabas Rural Health Unit, Ibajay Rural Health Unit I and Birthing Center, and Batan Health Center, all in the province of Aklan, as part of efforts to improve the delivery of primary and maternal healthcare services in the country, particularly in disaster-affected areas.
Speaking on behalf of their respective communities, the local government leaders and municipal health officers of the three Aklan towns expressed their gratitude to the foundation for helping improve health services for residents of more than 50 barangays.
BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, renovated the lobbies, waiting areas, offices, consultation and treatment rooms, laboratories, furniture and fixtures of the health centers.
Dental clinics, TB DOTS clinics, labor and birthing rooms were improved significantly, while breastfeeding stations, play areas for children and waiting areas for senior citizens were also built. These improvements are expected to help the health workers enhance their capacity to provide primary healthcare services more efficiently and effectively.
Doctors, nurses and midwives are now better equipped to take care of patients, including mothers and babies, children, the elderly and persons with disability, health officials said.
The rural health units were turned over to local government officials in separate events led by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa, BDO Aklan-Kalibo branch head Mabeth Garcia and BDO Aklan-Kalibo CityMall branch head Jay Roger Salido.
BDO branches support this corporate citizenship initiative by recommending to BDO Foundation health centers that need help.
The foundation’s efforts to renovate rural health units support the global goals of improving maternal health and ensuring healthy lives and the well-being of people of all ages.