Breaking the 'too late' care health habit

SM Foundation launches Wellness Hub for early detection and holistic health

- By Jemimah Mapa

Rehabilitation medicine specialists, dieticians and fitness coaches provide personalized nutrition counseling and various fitness classes.

Studies on the health-seeking behavior of Filipinos reveal a common tendency to delay formal medical care until symptoms become severe or when home remedies no longer work.

The cultural value of “Bahala na” often reinforces this passivity and causes individuals to seek help only when conditions worsen and more intensive interventions are required.

However, in matters of health, time is of the essence.

Delays in seeking medical attention can lead to serious consequences. It affects not only patient’s physical well-being but also their emotional, mental, and financial stability. This deeply rooted mindset, then, contributes to a healthcare system that is heavily focused on curative rather than preventive care, ultimately straining resources that could have been used to promote long-term wellness and disease prevention.

The San Juan Medical Center Wellness Hub was meticulously restored with sustainability in mind, incorporating air-cleaning paints and eco-friendly materials to ensure a healthy environment for both patients and staff.

"This wellness center is part of changing the culture," San Juan Medical Center (SJMC) Medical Director Dr. Joseph Acosta said as they inaugurate the hospital’s Wellness Hub with SM Foundation.