CAPIZ – To further bring health services closer to Capiznons, the Department of Health launched Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center in this province yesterday, January 10.
The ceremony which was led by DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also coincided with the soft opening of the new Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Capitol Hills, Barangay Lanot, Roxas City.
This province’s BUCAS Center, the 43rd in the country, offers ambulatory medical and surgical care needs to Capiznons, as well as oral-maxillofacial surgery, otorhinolaryngologic surgery, and reproductive health services.
Additionally, it offers laboratory services with comprehensive diagnostic capabilities.
BUCAS Centers are established by the DOH in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) across the country.
Meanwhile, among the services offered by the new Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital are emergency room, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, surgical services, pediatrics, tertiary level clinical laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and pharmacy and cardio-pulmonary services, among others.
Herbosa said the launching of BUCAS Center and soft opening of the new hospital are milestones in the shared journey towards a healthier and more equitable Philippines.
“Hospital like this and BUCAS Center like this is my ticket as we are able to say we are reaching Universal Health Care (UHC) goals faster,” the DOH chief said.
BUCAS Centers commenced right after he assumed office as the DOH secretary.
“I said to implement UHC, kailangan muna or para ma-solve mo iyong inequity or ang mahihirap hindi makapunta sa hospital because of affordability issues. Kadalasan may private hospitals dito, ang kaso mahal sia for the poor people. So it is imperative that government provides affordable health care for the Filipinos and the only way to do that is to help the LGUs,” added Herbosa.
For his part, Gov. Fredenil Castro expressed his gratitude to Herbosa who personally led these two important events for Capiznons.
He also hopes that the DOH could provide the hospital needs to ensure continuous delivery of health services./PN
