The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday opened the first Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) center in the Philippines in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga.

“The DOH was inspired by the concept of the LAB For All project, headed by First Lady Atty. Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos. We want to institutionalize the LAB For All concept through BUCAS centers, to bring the best to the poorest in terms of urgent care and ambulatory services,” Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

He noted the first BUCAS center was conceptualized three months ago and will be hosted by the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH).

“We focus on our goal of establishing 28 primary care centers to serve the 28 million poorest Filipinos by the year 2028,” he added.

The BUCAS center at JBLMGH Ambulatory Surgical and Multispecialty Center occupies a one-story facility spanning 5,000 square meters.

The health facility structure, together with two hectares of land, was donated to the DOH by Pampanga 1st District Rep. Anna York Bondoc.

It was established through the generous contribution of Sto. Tomas Mayor Johnny Sambo, Vice Mayor Jun Pineda, and the Municipal Councilors as well.

It is envisioned to address the ambulatory medical and surgical care needs of Filipinos from Central Luzon, giving the best for the poorest of Pampanga and its surrounding municipalities as catchment areas.

Apart from general surgery, oral-maxillofacial surgery, otorhinolaryngologic surgery, and reproductive health services, the BUCAS center has laboratories with comprehensive diagnostic capabilities.

Herbosa said efforts are underway for the provision of additional services including ambulatory surgery in ophthalmology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and dentistry, as well as radiology and pharmacy services, expanding the range of health services available to the public. (PNA)