SM Foundation partners with DOH in conducting free Measles and Polio vaccinations

A mother holds her toddler as he is given a measles vaccination shot.

Over 200 children benefitted from the mass immunization campaign for measles and polio held during SM Foundation’s medical mission in SM Valenzuela last September 9. The month-long ‘Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio’ Mass Immunization Campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) is supported by the Foundation through its mall-wide medical missions for the month of September.

The measles and polio immunization campaign is in line with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals of reducing child mortality by providing free vaccinations. This is to deter the increasing number of people affected by rubella measles (German Measles) as well as a preventive measure for polio.

According to Connie Angeles, SM Foundation’s Executive Director for Medical Programs, the Foundation has partnered with DOH to implement the vaccination in more areas as well as to increase the awareness in the issue.

From January to August 2014, the DOH National Epidemiology Center has already recorded 16,214 confirmed cases of measles in the Philippines; of these, ninety-one have already died.

“SM Foundation will bring the ‘Ligtas sa Tigdas at Polio’ Immunization Campaign to more areas this September,” Angeles said. “Aside from SM Valenzuela and the recent medical mission in SM Olongapo, SM Foundation will also be offering vaccinations in SM Sucat on the 24th in collaboration with local government units.”

Meanwhile, other medical and dental services are also made available through SM Foundation’s regular medical mission program. Services include free chest X-ray, ECG, blood sugar screening, blood pressure monitoring, medical consultation, dental services, and free medicines to patients.

SM Foundation remains committed to bringing comprehensive medical and dental services to communities where its malls operate. In 2013, the Foundation was able to conduct 92 medical and dental missions which benefitted 90,034 patients. This year, SM Foundation targets to conduct 100 medical missions for 101,000 beneficiaries nationwide.