Residents of Cebu can now access free medical check-ups, consultations, diagnostic tests, and medicines through the newly inaugurated UCMed Kalusugan Center, which officially opened its doors on September 29, 2025.
The facility, accredited by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) under its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), aims to make healthcare more affordable, efficient, and accessible to the community.
A First for Cebu’s Private Hospitals
The Kalusugan Center is pioneering as the only Level 3 apex private hospital in Cebu to offer cancer screenings alongside YAKAP services. The University of Cebu Medical Center (UCMed) will provide early detection screenings for breast, colon, liver, and lung cancers, significantly improving patients’ chances of timely treatment and recovery.
“UCMed is proud to be the first private Level 3 Apex Hospital in Cebu to offer cancer screening with PhilHealth,” said Dr. Armando V. Tan, UCMed’s medical director. “Through the Kalusugan Center, we reaffirm our mission of attending to every Filipino’s health with accessible, affordable, and preventive care.”
Beyond Cancer Prevention
PhilHealth members and their families can also avail themselves of:
- Consultations with medical professionals
- Basic laboratory tests such as CBC, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and creatinine
- Imaging services, including X-ray
- Free medicines under PhilHealth’s expanding outpatient benefit packages
The center will also facilitate PhilHealth registration for non-members, ensuring more Cebuanos can benefit from the program.
Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration
During the inauguration, UCMed chair Atty. Augusto W. Go praised PhilHealth for its commitment to preventive healthcare. “The government is now taking care of our people, not only in giving them health facilities but also medicine. I am very excited that we started this, so we can do some good work for our people,” he said.
PhilHealth-7 regional vice president Marjorie A. Cabrieto formally awarded UCMed its accreditation certificate, designating the Kalusugan Center as a primary care institution under YAKAP. The program will soon expand to include Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT).
People-Centered Healthcare
The Kalusugan Center is envisioned as a hub for preventive and continuous care, aligning with the Universal Health Care framework. By focusing on wellness and early detection, UCMed hopes to reduce the burden of advanced illnesses while empowering patients to take charge of their health.
Despite a temporary closure following the September 30 earthquake, the center resumed operations on October 6, 2025, beginning its First Patient Encounters (FPE) as required by PhilHealth.
Access and Contact
The Kalusugan Center is located on the ground floor of the UCMed complex, across from the Medical Arts Building and adjacent to the parking facility, with entry via Mantawi Drive.
For inquiries, patients may call 517-0888 local 1591/1592 or visit UCMed’s official Facebook page.
0 Comments