via Graphic Plus — For nearly 15,000 residents across four barangays served by the San Vicente Health Center in Quezon City, the path to quality healthcare has just become clearer. A strong primary health care system begins with a shared vision that puts people first, brings services closer to communities, and treats health care as both a right and a responsibility.
This vision is reflected in the words of San Vicente Health Center medical officer Dr. Dane Calica and District 4 Health Officer Dr. Marizel Wong, whose dedication to public service found a meaningful partner in SM Foundation.
“My vision for a health center is one that is aligned with universal health care, strong, inclusive, modern, and patient-centered, where we promote wellness, prevent disease, treat illness, and deliver quality care across all stages of life,” Dr. Calica said.
The San Vicente Health Center has long served as a primary care provider, but demand has outpaced capacity. The facility faced space limitations, aging infrastructure, and challenges brought about by its location in a flood-prone area. Maternal and child health services, in particular, remained among the most in-demand, often filling the center early in the week.
Recognizing these gaps, SM Foundation collaborated with the Quezon City local government unit to transform the health center not only structurally, but functionally. Among the most significant additions are a dedicated adolescent room, a breastfeeding room, and a minor surgical room.
The upgrades also include improved consultation rooms, expanded waiting areas, a pharmacy and dental clinic, and dedicated spaces for elderly patients, pregnant women, and children.
Through SM Foundation’s health and medical programs, the facility is now equipped with DigiKonsulta, enhancing access to consultations and health services. These upgrades now allow the San Vicente Health Center to meet the requirements for Department of Health accreditation as a Primary Care Facility,
“Malaking bagay ito because the public and private sectors really have to go hand in hand,” Dr. Wong said. “If the private sector gives efficiency, the government gives equity,” she said.
She added that the renovated facility now feels “more homelike,” creating a welcoming environment that encourages patients, especially those who were previously hesitant to seek care earlier.
A key feature of the renovation is the adolescent room, designed to address gaps in youth-friendly health services. Dr. Calica emphasized the importance of creating a safe and confidential space for young people, noting that “adolescents often hesitate to consult for mental health or reproductive concerns in shared clinical areas, which is why having a dedicated, youth-friendly room is crucial.”
Dr. Wong highlighted how the improvements enabled by SM Foundation encourage timely care-seeking. “Because of the renovation, more patients are now willing to come to the health center early,” she said. “This allows us to promote prevention and conduct early diagnosis, which helps reduce morbidity and mortality.”
“The upgrades by SM Foundation have strengthened not only our primary health care services but also supported our health care workers,” Dr. Calica shared. “This allows us to deliver better health outcomes for the community.”
The transformation of San Vicente Health Center is anchored in the commitment of its healthcare workers. Dr. Wong describes public health as a calling, one that brings fulfillment despite its challenges. For Dr. Calica, it is an “investment in the future,” grounded in the belief that “when we protect the current generation, we protect the generations to come.”
