As part of the health initiatives in attaining Universal Health Care, the Department of Health Bicol Center for Health Development (DOH Bicol CHD) inaugurated the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) Center of the Bicol Medical Center on June 16, 2025 at the Bicol Medical Center, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur.
“The BUCAS will cater to patients needing urgent care. This reflects the vision of the 8 Point Action Agenda No. 2: Ligtas, Dekalidad at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo,” DOH Bicol CHD Regional Director Dr. Melissa T. Sena said.
Dr. Sena proudly shared that the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), which was once only available in hospitals, can now be availed in BUCAS centers such as the BMC.
Medical Center Chief Dr. Ronnie Gregorio B. Gigantone III underscored the deeply-rooted importance of the BUCAS in providing better access (physical and economic) to outpatients and thereby decongesting hospitals.
Dr. Gigantone said that the BMC goes beyond the preventive side of combatting sickness. Therefore, BUCAS was created to complement the primary care facilities.
Further, the BUCAS is instrumental in providing quality health care, with the availability of specialty services and higher level diagnostic services, and improved patient referral.
Open from Monday to Friday at 8:00 AM to 5:00, the newly-inaugurated BUCAS of the BMC houses the following services:
- Animal Bite Treatment Center
- Urgent Care
- Adult Clinic
- Maternal and Prenatal Clinic
- Children and Adolescent Clinic
- Vaccination
- Telemedicine
- Laboratory
- Pharmacy
- Dental Services
- Counselling on nutrition, teen wellness, family planning, and smoking cessation
Present in the inauguration were Dr. Ramon C. Echano Jr., Medical Center Chief, Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center, Camarines Sur 3rd District Congressman-Elect Hon. Nelson Legacion, Naga City Mayor-Elect Hon. Leni Robredo, Dr. Mary Jane G. Uy, BMC Chief of Medical Professional Staff, BMC staff, Camarines Sur Provincial DOH Office, and representatives of National Government Agencies.
Along with the inauguration of its BUCAS, the BMC has also shared the ongoing construction of their specialty centers which will cater to complex and special medical cases. (DOH5/MDUB)
Source: DOH Bicol CHD