SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) refurbished the medical and dental clinic at the Quezon City Schools Division Office (QC-SDO) of the Department of Education (DepEd).
The refurbished clinic, nestled behind the Annex Building of SM North EDSA, features state-of-the-art equipment donated by SMFI.
The clinic will serve as a platform for preventive healthcare, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging regular check-ups.
SM Foundation Health and Medical Program Executive Director Connie Angeles, Mall Operations SAVP Jocelyn Clarino, and SM North EDSA Mall Manager Miguel Gaspi joined the turnover.
During the turnover ceremony, Dr. Connie Gepanayao, Regional Medical Officer of DepEd National Capital Region, and SDO Superintendent Dr. Carleen Sedilla underscored the crucial role of health in enabling students to achieve their academic potential and aspirations.
Sedilla cited the critical need for school-based health services, especially amid recorded increases in cases of hand, foot, and mouth diseases (HFMD) among young students, along with the prevalence of other illnesses.
Gepanayao said the close relationship between the SM group and the SDO played a pivotal role in this collaboration.
“A healthy student is a happy student,” Gepanayao said.
The donation marked the beginning of the entry of the Foundation into the renovation of existing clinics in public elementary and secondary schools within the jurisdiction of the DepEd.
In the past, the Foundation renovated community health centers and medical health units of the military.
Aside from the renovation and refurbishing, the Foundation is committed to do maintenance work in the upkeep of the facility.