The public may now avail of immediate health care services in 51 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) centers operating in 33 provinces nationwide, Malacañang announced on Friday. Twenty-six of these are in Luzon, eight are in the Visayas, and 17 are in Mindanao, with each center serving more than 500 patients daily, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing Friday. The Department of Health (DOH) initially targeted to establish at least 28 BUCAS centers nationwide to serve about 28 million Filipinos in need of accessible and quality healthcare services. “The equipment and services of these DOH BUCAS centers are modern and fast, and these are where our countrymen in the provinces go for fast and immediate medical services or ambulatory care,” Castro said. She said most of the services at the facilities are free, except for the specialized medical procedures that “only have a very minimal fee.” She said BUCAS Centers have served about 800,000 Filipinos, including Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, since the establishment of the initial facilities in March 2024. Among the services offered in the BUCAS Centers are laboratory tests, tuberculosis screening and management, vaccinations, cancer screening, surgical operations for breast, tumor, and cataracts; consultations for high blood pressure and diabetes, OB-Gyne consultation and services, mental health support, first aid and referral for vehicular crash injuries, nutrition support, dental care, animal bite treatment, and access to medicine through an in-house pharmacy. The facilities also offer specialized services for senior citizens, such as geriatric care, ENT (ear, nose, throat), orthopedic, and surgical procedures. BUCAS centers serve as a vital intermediary healthcare hub designed to bridge the gap between village health centers and higher-level hospitals. PNA PHOTO