During its inception in 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) planned to open 28 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers across the country.
A year later, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said they have exceeded their own expectations as they were able to open 46 BUCAS centers nationwide.
“We are championing primary health care at the purok level… we are changing directions. We are opening the BUCAS centers in various parts of the Philippines,” Herbosa said in his address at the recent Unilab Foundation Partners’ Night at Novotel Araneta City in Quezon City.
The BUCAS centers complement the PuroKalusugan program, wherein barangay health workers and purok leaders conduct house-to-house visits, identify individuals who need medical care, immunizations, and follow-up checkups.
This approach, according to the government, ensures that infants receive vaccinations, seniors get proper medications, and people with chronic illnesses receive ongoing medical attention.
Herbosa, though, believes such programs can be more successful with the collaboration of the private sector, particularly citing the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP) for their “strong partnership with the Department of Health.”
“Your work on research, policy, and innovation has complemented our efforts to bring UHC (Universal Health Care) to a tangible reality for every Filipino. Your commitment to undertake bold, essential initiatives, such as the establishment of the One Hospital Command Center and the patient navigation system in the National Capital Region, is both commendable and deeply valued,” he said.
“These initiatives reflect the kind of thinking we need: strategic systems thinking rooted in real-world needs. I’m very glad the Uniplan Center for Health Policy is also working alongside the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine and other institutions to bring these ideas to life,” he added.
The enhanced patient navigation system will include real-time data utilization, centralization, strengthened coordination, and improved staff capabilities. It will ensure that Filipinos receive timely access to the necessary medical services.
The initial step is developing a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the DOH guidelines and the Universal Health Care Integration System (UHCIS).
“As Secretary of Health, I’m constantly reminded that strengthening the health system is not something the government can do alone. It takes all of us working across sectors, sharing knowledge, and aligning our goals to make health for all a reality,” Herbosa said.
