Vital lifelines for low-income families
Roland Bariuan takes home free medicines after his medical check-up
SM Foundation recognizes that medical missions hav become an increasingly vital source of support for low income
communities. It has made its mission to travel from Luzon to Mindanao to provide free medical care and services to thousands of patients from various hard-pressed communities, including some in Tuguegarao and Cauayan.
Two of their patients were Roland Bariuan and Angeline Cacanindin. Two years ago, Roland suddenly felt weak and had to spend money on medical consultations and examinations.
“Nalaman ko na may diabetes po ako. Pero hindi pwedeng pabayaan ko ang sarili ko. Hindi pwedeng maging tamad ako dahil may sakit ako. Kung tamad po ako mamasada, wala kaming pangaraw-araw at gagastushinpambili ng gamot,” he shared.
Through his determination to care for his health, he goes to the city health office for his routine checkups. The same drive to boost his health is also what led him to SM group’s medical mission.
Angeline Cacanindin (rightmost) assists her daughter during the tooth extraction.
Through the medical mission, he received free consultation, blood tests, x-ray, and medicines– services that would break the bank if he had it done elsewhere.
“Malaking tulong ang libreng check-up sa ang libreng gamot mula sa SM Foundation. Malaking tulong ito dahil kahit papaano, hindi ko muna iisipin ang pang gamot ko,” he said.
Making quality healthcare attainable
Roland’s fellow resident from Cagayan Valley, Angeline Cacanindin. Her youngest daughter has been complaining
about a toothache, which was already interfering with her nutrition and attendance in school.
SMFI mobile clinic at SM City Cauayan
At the SMFI medical mission in SM City Cauayan, her daughter’s tooth was extracted. They received free paracetamol, antibiotics, vitamins apt for her child’s age.
“Ang medical mission na ito ay malaking tulong kasi libre po serbisyo pati ang mga gamot. Ngayon po, makakapagsimula muli kaming subaybayan ang kalusugan ng aming anak para maganda po ang kinabukasan niya,” she said.
Through ongoing medical missions of the SM Foundation, many economically disadvantaged individuals like Roland and Angeline get lifelines–an intervention that provides immediate relief to those in need and a chance to access medical care and resources that are often unavailable or unattainable.
