In a significant milestone towards improving healthcare accessibility for Filipinos, the Department of Health (DOH) and SM Supermalls have officially opened the DOH Wellness Clinic at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on December 19, 2024.
This partnership aims to provide essential health services in convenient, high-traffic areas, enhancing wellness and offering accessible primary care to the public.
The grand opening event was graced by key officials from both the DOH and SM Prime Holdings, Inc., including DOH Undersecretary Elmer G. Punzalan, MMCHD Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center (LPGHSTC) Medical Center Chief Dr. Ignacia Fajardo and other prominent DOH officials. Senior executives from SM Prime Holdings, Inc, including Senior Assistant Vice President for Operations Mr. Perkin O. So, Vice President for Mall Operations Mr. Junias Eusebio, also attended Pasay City Health Officer Dr. Tiong Eng Roland Tan was also present to witness the occasion.
This Wellness Clinic, born out of Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa’s transformative vision of bringing health services closer to the people, marks a significant milestone and is part of the DOH’s broader initiative aligned with the 8-Point Action Agenda for Health, aimed at providing quality healthcare services to every Filipino (Bawat Pilipino), every community (Bawat Komunidad), and every health worker and institution (Bawat Health Worker at Institusyon). Strategically located within SM’s Government Service Express (GSE) Centers, these Wellness Clinics are designed to offer convenient and easily accessible primary care services for all.
In his remarks, DOH Undersecretary Elmer G. Punzalan emphasized, “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in addressing the unequal access to healthcare services across the country. By bringing essential health services closer to communities, the DOH and SM Supermalls aim to ensure that more Filipinos have access to the care they need towards a Bagong Pilipinas kung saan Bawat Buhay Mahalaga.”
The Wellness Clinic aim to improve healthcare access for individuals and families by providing basic health services such as consultations, screenings, and wellness programs. These services will help bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in urban centers and communities that may otherwise lack adequate medical infrastructure.
With this partnership, the DOH and SM Supermalls are reinforcing their shared commitment to building a healthier, more equitable future for all Filipinos. This initiative will extend to more SM Supermall locations in the coming months, bringing essential healthcare services closer to people nationwide.
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