BAGUIO CITY — Various studies have proven that law enforcement work significantly impacts physical and mental health, with professionals facing higher health risks than many occupational groups.
Officers are prone to conditions like heart disease, chronic pain, and sleep disorders stemming from demanding work involving irregular hours and constant vigilance.
Mental health challenges include depression, stress, and potential substance abuse, driven by repeated exposure to traumatic incidents and human suffering.
With the key role of law enforcement professionals, the SM Foundation ramped up its health and medical programs, refurbishing health facilities, including the Camp Bado Dangwa Hospital in La Trinidad, Benguet.
It is the fifth renovated police facility and the 212th SM Foundation wellness center.
Prioritizing health, breaking stereotypes
Police Col. Alma Paredes, Chief of RDMU-CAR, mentioned that uniformed personnel have not given enough attention to their health for years, often influenced by misconceptions surrounding their profession.
“In the past, police officers were not particularly focused on their health. There is a common perception that being in law enforcement requires toughness, which has led some officers to avoid seeking medical attention when unwell, fearing it might be seen as a sign of weakness,” Paredes explained.
“Personnel can render service, but this contrasts with the fact that we lack facilities,” Paredes stressed.
With the hospital’s refurbishment, it is now able to better address healthcare needs, allowing police officers to prioritize their health and have a new outlook on healthcare.
Improved care for Camp Bado Dangwa
Named after the late former governor Bado Dangwa, an Igorot war hero, the Camp Bado Dangwa Hospital (CBDH) is operated by the Regional Medical and Dental Unit (RDMU) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Established in November 1929, RMDU-CAR is one of the regional offices of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service.
Operating for 23 years, the hospital is staffed by 76 uniformed medical allied personnel.
The facility serves more than 10,600 PNP personnel, their dependents, and authorized civilians in the Police Regional Office (PRO-CAR), covering six provinces in the region and the chartered city of Baguio.
Since then, the 10-bed health facility has offered a wide range of services.
Enhancing its capacity to deliver comprehensive healthcare services, the upgraded facility now includes a new pathological laboratory, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses of patient health conditions.
The refurbishment also boosts the hospital’s capacity to carry out its other programs, including in-person and teleconsultations, dental care, annual physical exams, short-term hospitalization, emergency and minor surgical services, eye care, and various laboratory tests.
For mental health support, the improved environment of the facility complements its psychiatric services, which include counseling, stress management programs, and a variety of therapy options tailored to the needs of its personnel.
A Search and Rescue (SAR) box was also added, allowing advanced search and rescue operations.
The foundation also equipped the hospital with SM DigiKonsulta to boost its digitalization efforts.
After the renovation, Paredes is optimistic that they will be able to accommodate more patients:
“Only a few were able to go because of a scheduling system. The establishment cannot accommodate patients simultaneously, but thanks to SM Foundation’s help, the establishment is capable to do so.”
One for the books
Complementing the renovation, the SM Foundation held a medical mission alongside the turnover ceremony.
The medical mission offered medicines, dental, and medical consultations, all free for the community of Camp Bado Dangwa. The foundation’s medical clinic also provided free x-ray and ECGs.
One of the beneficiaries is Rodolfo Gregorio, a retired police officer who has served for over 30 years.
“This is a great support from SM Foundation, especially for active and retired police officers. Given the current situation, where healthcare costs are increasingly high, purchasing medicine today can easily cost anywhere from 500 to 1,000 pesos. SM Foundation’s support allows us to allocate our resources more effectively—rather than spending on medication, we can direct those funds toward other essential needs, such as groceries.”
Paredes detailed that the CBDH is open not only to the PRO-CAR community but also to everyone in need.
The renovation of Camp Bado Dangwa Hospital is a symbol of appreciation to those who protect the country’s peace.
With the support of the SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs, the renovation, beyond its freshly painted walls and advanced equipment, also serves as a reminder that health should be our utmost priority, even in the most rigorous professions.
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