Thursday, September 13, 2007 SM turns over cold chain facilities
ADDRESSING problems such as lack of vaccine containment for immunization campaigns in some of Mindanao's depressed areas, SM Investment Corp. responded by turning over cold chain facilities and coolers for communities needing these health services.
SM's Cold Chain Facilities for Municipal Health Units (MHUs) is a project that supports health initiative in depressed areas by providing storage for vaccines to be used in the immunization of children in the provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) and Sarangani.
Proper handling and storage of vaccines and medicines play a crucial role during immunization campaigns and medical missions.
Based on the Field Health Information System (FHIS) of the National Epidemiology Center, Marawi City registered very low in immunization coverage followed by Basilan, Sulu, Sarangani, and Lanao del Sur.
Infant mortality can be prevented through regular immunization and proper health care, hence; the need for proper storage of vaccines and medicines to maintain their potency and effectiveness.
SM Investments Corporation provides brand-new refrigerators and coolers to address this particular health-related concern affecting MHUs in the Armm and Sarangani provinces.
The project implemented in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and local government units (LGUs) hopes to benefit at least 1,400 infants in seven of Mindanao's peace and development areas.
Gov. Miguel Dominguez of Sarangani and Mayor Abdulkarim Langkuno of Paglat, Maguindanao will receive the facilities.
A holding company of the SM Group, SM Investment Corp is now one of the Philippines' biggest conglomerates occupying dominant position in most line of business namely: shopping malls, retail merchandizing, banking and finance, and property development. SM Investment Corp is a member company of PBSP since 2004.
PBSP is a private and non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting business sector commitment to social development. It was organized in 1970 by 50 of the country's prominent business leaders and has since grown to become the nation's largest business-led social development foundation.
