Having access to local health centers is an invaluable asset to communities everywhere. They provide essential healthcare and medical services, from vaccinations and check-ups to emergency care, which are critical in maintaining the well-being of individuals and families.
My family and I have been fortunate enough to benefit from a local health center. We receive routine check-ups, vaccinations, and referrals for specialized care when needed. My newborn son recently had a routine check-up at the health center and was given his first set of vaccinations at no cost. This saved us time and money that would have otherwise been spent on a doctor’s visit.
My elderly parents and parents-in-law who are all senior citizens have also benefited from the health center. They receive essential vaccinations and check-ups that help them stay healthy. They also get free or low-cost prescriptions and referrals for specialists when needed.
The doctors at the health center are knowledgeable, kind, and professional. They take their time to answer any questions my family has about our health. The staff at the health center are also friendly and welcoming, making us feel comfortable and taken care of when we visit.
Special thanks to Dr. Marilin Ruiz-Santos, Sheryll Joy Cadezal, and Maria Felisa Llaneza for their dedicated service! My family and I are very grateful for the excellent care we have received from them.
I have seen firsthand how important a local health center is to providing essential healthcare services and improving the overall health of our community. I am thankful for all that it has done for my family and everyone in our community, and I hope that more people can benefit from it.
In the Philippines, where rural areas often lack access to quality healthcare, basic medical needs can go unmet. This is why having a dedicated health center nearby is so important – it can save lives. BDO Foundation’s commitment to upgrade five rural health units (RHUs) in Batangas, Bohol and Cebu is a step forward in bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare access.
The corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank recently completed the rehabilitation of Agoncillo Health Center and San Luis RHU II in Batangas, Sibonga Municipal Health Office in Cebu, and Rural Health Unit Buenavista and Tubigon Municipal Health Office in Bohol. The foundation has successfully upgraded 131 health centers since 2012.
Thanks to BDO Foundation’s corporate citizenship initiative, the healthcare delivery system in the country is being improved. This was made possible by volunteer officers of BDO and BDO Network Bank branches, who recommended health centers that needed assistance.
Guided by municipal health officers, BDO Foundation remodeled these healthcare facilities with an emphasis on providing as much comfort as possible for patients and their families. They revamped lobbies and waiting areas, offices, birthing clinics, consultation and treatment rooms, facilities, furniture and fixtures – even going so far as creating play areas for children using the available space. These transformations go beyond improving aesthetics; they create a more pleasant atmosphere that boosts morale and adds to patient recovery.
With the projects completed, health workers are now better equipped to provide primary and maternal healthcare services to their constituents. BDO Foundation’s projects in Batangas, Bohol and Cebu are expected to benefit more than 192,000 people in 126 barangays.
Agoncillo municipal health officer Dr. Richard Landicho expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the renovation of Agoncillo’s rural health facility.
“There are no words to express our happiness. We are happy that we will be able to serve our patients in a facility that promotes their healing and well-being. We are truly grateful to BDO Foundation for renovating our rural health unit, enabling us to continue our health programs and helping our community.”
These renovated RHUs offer more than just physical improvements; they also provide better service for patients who may have previously been underserved due to distance or transport problems, while helping alleviate the pressure on existing hospitals.
For instance, by providing primary healthcare services such as immunization programs or general exams at a closer location, patients no longer need to travel far for treatment.
In addition, RHUs can help reduce hospital visits for minor ailments that could be easily managed with preventative care or treatments available within the center itself.
Furthermore, upgraded health centers create employment opportunities for professionals such as doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who would otherwise not have direct access to these communities.
By hiring people from their own area of residence or neighboring townships and villages, these health centers become vital sources of income for locals and aid in stimulating economic growth in areas that are often overlooked by larger institutions due to their remote locations. Having increased job opportunities also serves as an incentive for young people who may otherwise consider moving away from their hometowns due to limited career prospects related to medicine or healthcare professions.
Having adequate health facilities close by allows community members access to better healthcare options without needing to travel far distances at great cost or inconvenience with regard to time and resources. People living in rural zones can now benefit from more comprehensive medical services that were once too distant or expensive; this ensures everyone has equal access regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic background.
Health centers also decrease the burden on larger hospitals located elsewhere by allowing them more time for treating serious cases that would normally overwhelm smaller facilities unable to handle complex procedures safely or effectively due to limited equipment and personnel.