mWell pushes for greater reach across remote areas

Manuel V. Pangilinan —CONTRIBUTED

Manuel Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Health Tech Corp. seeks to seal a stronger partnership with the public sector to reach more remote areas across the Philippines.

Through mWell, its tech-based health care digital ecosystem, the company intends to help Filipinos overcome common challenges in accessing health services.

According to the group, Filipinos residing in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas have to deal with hours-long trips, long queues and expensive hospital bills.

Aside from that, the company noted the lack of medical professionals in rural areas. Residents usually depend on one doctor for up to 100,000 people.

MWell has over 3,700 doctors focusing on more than 48 specializations. With that, the firm is confident of addressing the gap.

MWell offers telemedicine, health and wellness programs, e-commerce, among others.

“Families in faraway communities have waited too long for easy access to care,” said Pangilinan, chair of mWell and parent Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).

“With our partners, we’re building pathways that make health care more accessible and affordable for every Filipino. We’ll continue working to bridge the gap between our people and the care they deserve,” he added.

MPIC said the company has been closely collaborating with national agencies and community groups.

For instance, its partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s BangkaHealth program enables the group to bring mWell OnTheGo clinic in a bag units and satellite internet to island barangays in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.