Butuan health center upgraded

Oliver John Tiu (left), SM Group vice president for operations in Mindanao, and SM Foundation’s Connie Angeles turn over a symbolic ‘160’ sign to Butuan Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada (right) for the wellness center the mall giant just renovated for the city.

With the recent turnover of its 160th Wellness Center to Butuan Medical Center, SM Foundation, together with SM City Butuan, ensured that residents of Butuan and its neighboring provinces will now have access to comfortable medical facilities without compromising the quality of the services.

Pediatrician Dr. Caridad Berdeos Plete, who has been with BMC for 13 years, said she is looking forward to more comfortable consultations with her patients in the air-conditioned rooms of the renovated wards with comfortable beds and ample moving spaces for the watchers.

Before the renovation, BMC patients’ illnesses sometimes get worsened due to the cramp and poor ventilation of the old ward.

OIC chief nurse, Paul Ritchie Pelos, who has been with the hospital since 2014 kid that the hotel-like ambiance of the renovated wards might encourage patients and watchers to overstay but he pressed that they will make sure to discharge the patients as soon as they are healed so others can use the upgraded medical facilities.

Moreover, noting that the children and elderly are the most vulnerable to virulent diseases, SM Foundation ensured that their new wards are shielded from the main ward of BMC via thick doors.

Also part of the renovation are the comfort stations for children and the elderly where they can stay comfortably while waiting for their doctors.

SMFI Executive Director for Health and Wellness Programs Connie Angeles explained: “Children and senior citizens are the most susceptible to viruses and bacteria that cause more deadly ailments. They are also the ones that need better protection as their immune systems are not as strong as people in between these stages.”

Butuan Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada said: “This effort has raised the bar and upgraded the quality requirements for public buildings like health centers and hospitals.”

Lagnada said he’s delighted that SM Foundation went ahead with the BMC upgrade even before the SM City Mall would open by February 14, 2020.

“With this, the Butuanons are grateful. This clearly demonstrates your desire to spread social good to people,” he added.

With the upgrade, the hospital can now qualify for certification as Level 3 tertiary health facility, said Dr. Plete.

http://www.manilastandard.net/lgu/mindanao/311623/butuan-health-center-upgraded.html