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Crowded waiting areas, worn-down buildings, and poorly ventilated consultation rooms are what one would witness when visiting the old La Libertad Primary Care Facility (PCF). “The paint was peeling and the whole space felt like it was no longer conducive to healing and recovery,” shared Eleanor Acabo, branch head of BDO Network Bank Negros Oriental-Guihulngan branch, as she described her visit to their local health center.
As a member of the community, she felt the need to help in her own way. This is what inspired her to recommend the health center for rehabilitation through the program of BDO Foundation.
BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, has a long-standing program focused on the rehabilitation of health centers. The organization has since renovated more than 210 rural health units across the country and is continuously finding new facilities to rehabilitate through the support of BDO and BDO Network bank branches.
A glimmer of hope seen through the hard work of the health workers
“Despite the grim circumstances of the facility, we saw the unfailing commitment of our health care professionals. They served patients one by one and ensured that all were attended to,” shared Acabo.
The primary care facility serves as the first line of defense of communities in maintaining the overall health and wellness of its constituents. Patients run to the health center for routine check-ups, immunizations, and preventive health care. Oftentimes, these facilities lack the capacity to renovate, especially after being struck by natural calamities.
“We knew then that the town of La Libertad deserved more – better. A renewed facility will not only help provide better health care, but it will also serve as a glimmer of hope to our community,” she concluded.
BDO Foundation recognizes this gap by partnering with the respective local government units and finding a middle ground in renovating the health facility that will best serve its patients.
Shared efforts lead to bigger results
After months of hard work from the officers of the health center, leaders from the local government unit, and employees of BDO Foundation and BDO Network bank, the La Libertad (PCF) was rehabilitated and is now ready to serve its constituents of over 41,000 individuals.
Like previous renovation projects of the foundation, the mission was to enhance the experience of both health workers and patients through improved interiors and exteriors. The foundation also added a play area for kids and a private breastfeeding area for nursing mothers – common additions to bigger health centers to ensure that all kinds of patients are comfortable and included.
“The recently renovated facility is more than just a structure. It is an example of what can be achieved when people and organizations work together for a bigger cause,” Acabo concluded.
BDO Foundation is steadfast in its mission in providing support for health centers and helping strengthen the national health care delivery system. Prior to the turnover of the La Libertad PCF, the foundation rehabilitated and turned over several other rural health units in Negros Oriental, namely, Dauin Primary Care Facility, Mabinay Rural Health Unit, and Santa Catalina Rural Health Unit.
