DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — Around 800 residents in Urdaneta City received free medicines and health services during a dental and medical mission project initiated by the SM Foundation, in partnership with the Urdaneta City Health Office on June 21, 2024.
Dubbed “Gamot para sa Kapwa”, the activity was held at SM Urdaneta Central.
Abraham Malicdem, mall manager of the said SM branch, stated that the free dental and medical mission aims to provide accessible healthcare services to vulnerable communities.
He emphasized the project’s goal of delivering quality, free medical and dental care services, alongside ensuring proper and complete medication dosages for less fortunate citizens in the community.
Malicdem mentioned the project included dental care, medical services, check-ups, medical supplies, examinations, and consultations for residents in need across the barangays of Urdaneta City.
“We want to help as many people as possible who need medical and dental assistance, and we also distribute medicine to our people. We regularly conduct this yearly at SM Pangasinan malls,” Malicdem said.
He noted that with the assistance of the Urdaneta City Health Office (CHO), more than 10 doctors and volunteers from different hospitals and the city government in Pangasinan participated in the activity.
Teodoro Palagud Jr., dentist III from the Urdaneta City Health Office, highlighted the significant impact of the activity on the residents, especially in educating them about healthy lifestyle and basic hygiene to promote good oral health care.
Likewise, Nestor Mabilin, 68 years old from Barangay Tipuso, Urdaneta City, expressed gratitude for the medical mission, highlighting its significant benefits, particularly the free consultations offered for their health conditions.
“It’s a big help for us because the cost of living is expensive nowadays. At least we can save money since it’s free,” Mabilin told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Pangasinan.
The ‘Gamot para sa Kapwa’ project is part of the health and wellness program of SM Foundation that aims to improve the community’s quality of life by caring for the sick, especially the elderly and children who feel helpless about their medical condition, through medical and dental missions and the distribution of free medicine. (MJTAB/EMSA/JSZ/PIA-1, Pangasinan)
