SM Foundation recently inaugurated the newly renovated NAVSOG Sick Bay, which services the medical needs of military personnel under training for the Navy SEALs, Tactical divers and Boat guys. Those undergoing training in the sea oftentimes become victims of jellyfish or salabay stings; are wounded from corral or big, sharp stones and suffer from air bents.

With the improvement of the facilities of the medical clinic, Navy frogmen are assured of quality first-aid medical assistance in times of distress before they are turned over to the Cavite Naval Hospital or the Manila Naval Hospital in case of confinement.

Also, the foundation donated equipment and supplies to the center, like oxygen tanks with regulators and carriage, canvass stretchers, nebulizers, suction machines, IV stands, stethoscopes, sterilizers, surgical sets, laryngoscopes with blades and other specialized equipment for under water related emergencies. The reception/waiting room was furnished with furnitures, including bookshelves, sofa, center table, wall fans, colored television sets and DVD player.

On hand to inaugurate and receive the renovated center from the SM Foundation was AFP MGen Anthony Alcantara, who said the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) ‘uses its resources judiciously so whatever help they get from the business sector, like SM, is a big boost to their morale.’He added that’modernizing the sick bay is very timely, the NAVSOG being an alerted unit in the Armed Forces is training people in the hardest kind of job whose mandate is to protect the country against all odds.’

SM Foundation’s Executive Director for Health and Medical Services Connie Angeles, in turning over’ the donation to the Philippine Navy (PN), said ‘the donation is SM’s small way of giving back to the frogmen the noble sacrifice that they give to our country.’

Photo shows (from left) Capt. Rommel Jason Galang, PN; Com. Jaime Bernardino, Rear Adm. Jose Luis Alano, MGen Alcantara, former Sen. Juan Flavier, Angeles, Carmen Linda Atayde and SMIC’s Edwin Lee.