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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider New outpatient clinic opens at former Smokey Mountain site to enhance urgent care services

New outpatient clinic opens at former Smokey Mountain site to enhance urgent care services

Published Apr 28, 2025 08:36 am

 

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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

To expand healthcare access for underserved communities, a new Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center was recently opened in Manila.

The new outpatient clinic was established through a partnership between the Department of Health (DOH) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through its San Miguel Foundation, Inc. (SMF).

Located at the San Miguel Foundation’s Better World Smokey Mountain facility in Tondo, Manila, the new BUCAS Center is operated in partnership with the Tondo Medical Center (TMC).

The new facility builds on the success of the first-ever privately-supported BUCAS Center, which was also established by SMF through its Better World Clinic in Cubao, Quezon City, in partnership with the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) last year.

Better World Smokey Mountain, an education and training center run by SMF, now offers outpatient services alongside PhilHealth Konsulta Packages, with TMC medical staff attending to patients.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa originally envisioned the BUCAS program as the centerpiece of his “28 for 28 by 28” initiative, aimed at establishing 28 urgent care centers to serve 28 million Filipinos by 2028.

Under the program, all consultations at the facility are free of charge, while most laboratory examinations are covered by PhilHealth. Patients whose required lab tests are not covered can opt to pay for them or seek assistance through the Malasakit Center.

Currently, the BUCAS Center at Better World Clinic-Cubao is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with QMMC Dermatology Department consultations held twice a month. The BUCAS Center at Better World Smokey Mountain in Tondo operates every Monday and Tuesday.

To access BUCAS Center services, patients must schedule a consultation at the Better World Clinic Cubao and enroll in the PhilHealth Konsulta Package of QMMC. Enrollment in PhilHealth Konsulta can also be done by calling the PhilHealth Corporation Action Center at (02) 8441-7442.

SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said many Filipinos who fall ill are forced to wait for treatment as the healthcare system remains overwhelmed.

“That is where BUCAS Centers come in. It’s an opportunity for our Better World facilities to step in and make healthcare more accessible, ensuring that those who need minor procedures and essential medical services don’t have to wait any longer,” he added.

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