Cabuloan, Urdaneta City – A two-story building now stands on the site a single-floor structure once occupied, which houses the City Health Center II of this city in Pangasinan, one of three health centers in Urdaneta.
Renovated and refurbished by SM Foundation, the new building was inaugurated and turned over to the city government of Urdaneta led by Mayor Amadeo “Bobom” G.E. Perez IV, Vice Mayor Julio F. Parayno III, and City Health Officer Bernardo C. Macaraeg by SM Foundation Executive Director for Health and Wellness Connie Angeles.
The ceremonies came two weeks after the passing on of SM founder Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr. This is the first health center to be turned over by the Foundation for the year.
The health center is the 45th community health center improved by SM Foundation and is site of the 153rd FTS Wellness Center to date.
Rehabilitation and renovation work commenced last year and with its inauguration, two more health facilities whose refurbishment started in 2018 remain to be turned over this year.
Angeles shared that for 2019 alone, the Foundation targets 10 more health facilities to be rehabilitated and handed over to respective recipients.
Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Rachel Ann Parayno expressed her gratitude to the elder Sy, as she lauded the ideal set up made by SM Foundation with the breastfeeding area, spacious laboratory, restroom for PWDs and wellness centers for children and the elderly.
With these innovations, Parayno underscored that the health center will be able to address the needs of the 16 barangays of the city.
“Let it this be another milestone in the medical service for the people. Thank you po, Tatang Henry Sy,” she said.
With the renovation, the health center is now qualified for three PhilHealth accreditations: Tuberculosis-Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (TB-DOTS), Out-patient Benefit Package (OBP), and Primary Care Benefit Package.
SM Foundation also provided new furniture, fixtures, equipment and medicines for its pharmacy.
The renovated center serves as an inspiration to the city health personnel, as Macaraeg said he hopes they can meet the demands of the people of Urdaneta “because when they see the facilities, they are looking forward to a good service also.”
The health center serves 16 barangays – Anonas, Bactad East, Bactad proper, Bayaos, Bolaoen, Cabuloan, Camanang, Casantaan, Cayambanan, Consolacion, Dilan Paurido, Nancalobasaan, Nancayasan, Macalong, Tipuso, and Tulong – dispensing health services to about 100 patients daily.
It now boasts of the following facilities: consultation area, OB consultation area, treatment area, pharmacy, storage room for medicines and other medical supplies, dental room, laboratory and TB-DOTS center, vaccination room, cold storage area and the breastfeeding station aside from the wellness centers. Macaraeg shared that with the renovation, it has put in place a satellite sanitation office.