AS the nation commemorates the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, SM Foundation, Inc. pays tribute to the men and women in military service with the turn- over of the 114th Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center located at the AFP Medical Center’s Convalescence Ward.

The Wellness Center comes with the upgrading of the Convalescence Ward by SMFI that involved not only refurbishing and repainting but also constructing reception areas for the patients and their immediate family during visits. Also put in place are the Assistive device station, Medication Room, Counseling and Vocational Evaluation Room, Testing Room, Nurses Station, Livelihood Training and Activity Area and an AFPMC gender responsive Female Convalescence Ward. SMFI also provided television sets and board games for the patients.

The Convalescence Ward implements the AFP’s rehabilitation programs for disabled soldiers who sustained service-connected disability. These programs are conducted prior to their separation from military service to prepare them when they revert to their civilian status.

Among the programs conducted are livelihood training, health education lecture series, group dynamics, and psychosocial processing through counseling and vocational section. 

Livelihood training programs conducted in-house include computer literacy and hardware; meat/food processing and carpentry. Outside vocational trainings such as computer training are conducted with partner agencies/organizations. Vocational evaluation and Certificate of Disability (CDD) are given to deserving soldiers who intend to undergo schooling on vocational/technical courses.

Psychological evaluation dealing with psychological test such as intelligence, aptitude personality and interest test incorporating test results into case plan or case report is also among the functions of the Convalescence Ward. Counseling is given to soldiers facing problems as a result of the disability and diseases acquired. Health education lectures geared towards the acquisition of coping skills are given by professionals.

Aside from the rehabilitation programs, the Convalescence Ward is also a venue for medical examination and evaluation of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and cognitive system; and physical and occupational therapy.