The SM Foundation announced the opening of its 119th FTS Wellness Center, also the 29th improved SM Community Health Center, in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan recently. Locally known as City Health Center III, it will serve 12 barangays with a total population of 95,594 individuals.
A medical and dental mission was also conducted on the day of the center’s inauguration and turnover.
City Health Center III is biggest of the five City Health Centers in San Jose Del Monte. Each one houses the Felicidad Sy Wellness Centers for Children and the Elderly, a reception & waiting area, a newly improved Dental/Laboratory/Treatment/Family Planning/Records-Supply and Doctors consultation Rooms.
To safeguard maternal health, the Foundation also completed the Center’s Birthing Station. Obstetric delivery beds and hospital beds were donated to ease labor and recovery of pregnant women.
The Center’s Out-patient Benefit Package (OPB) has PhilHealth-accreditation. With the improvement and refurbishment, it will requalify to complete the 3-1 Philhealth accreditation for Tuberculosis-Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (TB-DOTS) & Maternity Care Package (MCP).
The San Jose del Monte City Health Center III has the following programs: family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, Dengue Control Program, Control of Diarrhea disease, Cancer Control Program, Comprehensive Nutrition Program, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control Program, National HIV/STD Prevention and Control Program, Expanded Program for Immunization and Medical Consultation. Pre-natal, delivery and post-partum are among its special programs including tuberculosis control program. Patients ranging from 60-80 a day seek medical attention daily in the Health Center.
The Center traces its history to 1960 when the National Housing Authority constructed a small health facility to service the health and medical needs of informal settlers relocated to the area. Six years later, the Missionary Sisters took over the Center and provided four beds for delivery. Free medicines and consultations were given by the missionaries. In 1967, it officially became a health facility of San Jose del Monte and improvements were later done by the Department of Health.