Batad: The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) is planning to establish its first off-site Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) center in Batad, Iloilo. This initiative marks a significant step in expanding healthcare access in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOH currently operates three on-site BUCAS centers located within its retained hospitals: Western Visayas Medical Center, Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital, and the Don Jose Monfort Medical Center. These centers provide a vital link between primary care and hospital services, aiming to enhance healthcare efficiency and patient-centered care.
Regional Director Helen Tobias emphasized that the BUCAS centers offer timely urgent care and ambulatory services, alleviating hospital congestion while ensuring prompt medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions. The BUCAS initiative is designed to improve access to urgent medical services in government hospitals, serving as an intermediary between emergency rooms and outpatient departments.
Tobias mentioned that construction of the proposed BUCAS center in Batad is currently underway, with completion targeted within the next two to three years. Upon completion, the center will be managed by the Don Jose Monfort Medical Center.
Christine Mosqueda, Nurse IV of the DOH WV CHD Health Facilities Development Unit, stated that Batad was selected based on its lack of hospital access within an hour's travel. Iloilo was chosen as the pilot site for the DOH Health System Resilience project, a five-year initiative focusing on building climate-resilient health systems, enhancing emergency response systems, and advancing digital health transformation.
From January to mid-June this year, the BUCAS center at Western Visayas Medical Center served 8,265 patients, while the Don Jose Monfort Medical Center served 1,922 patients. The newly-opened center at the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital has the capacity to serve up to 50 patients daily.
