THE Heroes’ Ward of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (the AFPMC, formerly the V. Luna Hospital), after being adopted by the SM Foundation has been refurbished, repainted and reequipped with functioning equipment. The 50-bed capacity ward serves battle casualty patients that include officers, enlisted personnel and civilian auxiliary patients. Most of the patients confined at the ward are soldiers with serious wounds and bone injuries, some of whom are waiting to be fitted with artificial limbs before being returned to active duty or sent to station hospitals of their respective units for therapy.

The SM Foundation will also renovate Ward 3B of the AFPMC’s orthopedic wing following an appeal from the ward’s patients to SM Foundation executive director Debbie Sy at the recent inauguration and turnover of the renovated ward. According to Connie Angeles, SM Foundation executive director for Health and Medical Services, the renovation of Ward 3B will be undertaken soon and should be finished in about three months.

The refurbished Ward 3A boasts of newly painted walls, murals, TV sets, electric fans and portable DVDs in each cubicle. Patients have been provided with books, magazines and board games. The ward was also fitted with three private rooms for officers, three post-operation rooms, an isolation room, a nurses’ station, a waiting room and improved toilet facilities.

Rachel Servito, Ward 3A head nurse, said 40 patients are now confined in six cubicles with eight beds in each cubicle. Some patients have been confined for two to three years after sustaining serious injuries in various encounters.

The renovated ward was officially inaugurated by Sy and Brig. Gen. Ariel Zerrudo, AFPMC commander. S9me of those present were former senator and Health secretary Juan Flavier; Angeles; Linda Atayde, the foundation’s executive director for education; Maj. Rex Prudente, head of the orthopedic department of the AFPMC; Col. Edwin Bautista, AFP acting commanding officer; Col. Dionisio Lopez, AFP deputy commander for professional services; and Col. Charet Guevarra, AFP deputy commander for administration.

Late last year the SM Foundation also donated a Felicidad Sy Wellness Center to the Air Force General Hospital at Villamor Airbase by completely renovating its Pediatric Outpatient Department. The Center caters to the medical needs of military personnel and their dependents, as well as the communities in the vicinity of the Villamor Airbase.