As the coronavirus outbreak spreads to more countries, so does solidarity among people everywhere. During this coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, small acts of kindness and gratitude can go a long way—it can bring hope and glow to a rather gloomy atmosphere the country is in today.
One of SM Foundation (SMFI) beneficiaries of much-needed personal protective equipment (PPEs), medical supplies, and safety gears is Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC) in Batac, Ilocos Norte.
“When consultations increased, the need for medical supplies also increased. This time for Marcos Memorial Hospital Center, it hit critical levels but fortunately, there were donations coming except for the supply of PPEs,” Dra. Maria Lourdes Otayza, Medical Center Chief II of MMMHMC recalled.
“We were awed and amazed at the superior quality of PPEs that a company like SM gave us. Who would have imagined that SM would even think about us,” Dra. Otayza said.
According to SMFI, “SMFI tries its best to reach far-flung areas that are affected by the pandemic. It is a reflection of the care and urgency that the SMFI leadership and the Sy family have put on this health crisis. At SMFI, we believe that health institutions in the provinces, particularly in far-flung areas, with limited resources need to be supported with the much needed medical supplies and equipment to combat COVID-19.”
“This is a common threat [the coronavirus] which will affect us all. By working together, making sacrifices and caring for each other’s needs, we can change and hasten putting this pandemic under control,” SMFI added.
This effort is part of SM’s Php 270 million contribution worth of medical supplies to several hospitals and medical institutions in the country which augments our frontliners’ defense against COVID-19.