SM employees, dependents benefit from medical, diagnostics mission

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI), over the weekend held an extensive medical, dental and diagnostics mission for its workers and their dependents at the SM City Pampanga Trade Hall.

Nearly 3,000 employees including office-based, housekeeping and security personnel, as well as the mall’s tenants were served in the medical mission which started before mall opening hours at 8:00 am up to late afternoon Saturday.

The SMFI partnered with various medical organizations including the Department of Health, Philippine Red Cross, International College of Surgeons, International Academy of Medical Specialists, and Watsons to come up with the medical mission exclusive for employees and their families.

Different from the annual medical and dental missions sponsored by the mall giant, the activity offered more cpmprehensive medical services from the usual medical check-ups and tooth extractions to EENT consultations, surgical operations, OB-gyne services, x-ray, ECG, and ultrasound, as well as free medicines and prescriptions.

SMFI Executive Director for Health and Wellness Connie Angeles said the activity is part of the mall’s continuing program to ensure the health and wellness of their workers, whom they consider their prime movers in their business.

“Annually, we conduct medical missions in the mall or in communities but usually, the community members are the ones who are invited to participate. But we still make sure that we have the same activity exclusively for our employees and their closest families and dependents to make them feel our appreciation and value for them,” she said.

“We believe in the saying that health is wealth, and to ensure that our employees can perform their duties properly, not only in their jobs but also in their families and communities, they must be in very good condition. That is also the reason we invited their family members who act as their support group,” Angeles furthered.

She also noted that a bigger medical mission is in line with the mall’s 60th anniversary celebration and is the first to happen in North Luzon and the third to happen in the country after that in Laguna and Fairview.

SM City Pampanga Mall Manager Aaron Montenegro, for his part, said that the program is expected to be sustained in the coming years with the inclusion of other mall branches to continuously ensure the health of the employees.

“Although this is organized for all the North Luzon malls’ employees for now, we understand that some cannot come due to distance-related concerns that is why we wish to bring the program nearer to them next time,” he said.

Related Stories

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph