The clinic’s private, relaxing ambiance and multidisciplinary treatment option contribute to healing
Mental health has come a long way from the taboo topic of years past. Now, people are not only open to talking about it in public forums and annual events like last October’s Mental Health Awareness Month, but also they’re taking proactive steps to managing their emotional, psychological, and social well-being with the help of trained professionals.
“My clients are from late adolescence to the elderly,” says Dr. Hannah Martella Maddatu-Pajarillo, a psychiatrist with Centre Médicale Internationale (CMI). “I see individual patients suffering from different mental health concerns, including but not limited to anxiety concerns, mood concerns like depression or manias, psychotic disorders, and substance abuse.”
Dr. Pajarillo’s broad patient profile doesn’t just speak of how mental health impacts people of all ages and walks of life; it’s also a reflection of their trust and confidence in CMI. The Philippines’ premier multispecialty outpatient clinic has been addressing people’s needs in healthcare—mental health included—since 2017.
Patients are put at ease even before they arrive at the clinic found on the second floor of Ore Central building, Bonifacio Global City. Consults are scheduled to a client’s convenience, eliminating the hours of waiting that typical doctors’ appointments are known for.
Two psychiatrists, two psychologists, and two adolescent medicine subspecialists are part of CMI’s roster of 160 board-certified doctors. For a more comprehensive approach to treatment, specialists and subspecialists from a host of disciplines—developmental and behavioral pediatrics, lifestyle and nutritional counseling, among others—can be referred for their expertise.
The facility’s well-appointed interiors and relaxing ambiance certainly contribute to healing. Large windows bring the outdoors in, from natural light to a view of the sky and lush trees, and the waiting areas are comfortable and calming. Private consultation rooms ensure that your sessions remain between you and your healthcare provider.
“A good mental health specialist is not just an expert in their field. They should be educators, advocates, and an agent for social change,” says Dr. Pajarillo. “In our fast-paced world, there are new things being discovered. Hence, mental health specialists should also be updated on the latest innovations to be able to give the best mental health care to those who need it.”
A venue that prioritizes its clients’ privacy, comfort, convenience, and specific health needs is also a green flag.
“At CMI, patients are welcomed and attended to by warm, efficient, and well-trained healthcare staff. ‘From pediatrics to geriatrics and everything else in between,’ meaning we have doctors who can cater to the subspecialist needs of children, adults, and the elderly,” says Dr. Maria Carmen B. Nievera, MD, FPPS, FPIDSP, pediatric infectious disease specialist, vice-president for medical affairs and medical director of CMI. “Moreover, our team is dedicated to provide topnotch care for all patients, including those with mental health issues. We are even setting up an Esketamine Center for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Most of our patients find that they are drawn to the kind of care they receive at CMI such that we have built a loyal patient pool who consider CMI as their go-to place for their medical needs.”
