Health movement kicks off with free medical consultation

Advocating early detection and prompt prevention of diseases through regular checkups, The Medical City (TMC) launched the “Be Healthy Always” movement, kicking it off with free medical consultation Saturday and Sunday.

At a recent press launch at its flagship hospital on Ortigas Avenue in Pasig, TMC president and chief executive officer Dr. Alfredo Bengzon said the initiative is in line with the hospital’s advocacy of making people assume responsibility for their own health.

“We will bring closer to the public the idea that as ‘our patients, you are our partner’ [in health],” TMC clinic marketing consultant Jem Bengzon said.

To jumpstart the campaign, TMC, with copresentor Johnsons & Johnsons and partner-companies such as Siemens, Unilab, Slimmers’ World, Rebmann Inc., Watsons and Biocare,  will  host the “Be Healthy Always: Get Checked!” at the ground floor of TriNoma Mall on Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City  from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

With 10 to 12 doctors on hand to accommodate around 1,000 patients, Bengzon said TMC will provide medical consultation in the following areas: cardiology, ophthalmology, women’s health and pediatric health. Primary care physicians will also  recommend the appropriate screening tests to patients.

The event will also feature health talks with TMC experts, geared at informing the participants on the common myths surrounding certain diseases, other facets of health, as well as promote a well-rounded lifestyle through various activities to be presented by TMC’s health partners.

A year-long initiative to bring consciousness on preventive healthcare, Jem Bengzon said TMC will eventually sponsor other “Be Healthy Always” consultations nationwide.

Deliberate plan

“Be Healthy Always” is not just a “rah-rah” event, it is a deliberate plan of action to instill on people a health-seeking behavior, according to TMC senior vice president for medical services group Dr. Eugene F. Ramos.  “We want to foster what we call ‘patient partnership,’ wherein patients are also accountable for their own health,” he added.

Meanwhile, Alfredo Bengzon, a former health secretary, said TMC is committed to empowering families to making healthier choices by expanding their services to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all. “Prevention should be integrated into all aspects of our lives. The overarching goal of this movement is to increase the number of Filipinos who are healthy at every stage of their life.”