MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it was hopeful that it could surpass its target of putting up 28 national ambulatory and urgent care facilities for 28 million poorest Filipinos by 2028.

In a televised briefing, DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said 10 facilities have been completed in different areas since the start of the construction of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) in January this year.

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Health Secretary Ted Herbosa in February said that he was expecting to see at least five fully functional health facilities this year.

"Sabi nga ni Secretary Ted [Herbosa], 28 by 28 by 2028. 28 BUCAS centers by the year 2028 for the poorest 28 million Filipinos. Pero malalampasan  na tingin namin ano kasi ngayon palang, January palang nag-start no, nakasampu na agad eh. so kaya natin labanan pa iyon na more than 28 pero  for 28 by 28 by 2028," he added. 

The DOH said it will continue to invest in facilities that will bring primary health care closer to the communities in a bid to decongest public hospitals and modernize barangay health stations, among others.

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"Nariyan ang sinasabing na primary care services na nagmumula doon sa Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service [BUCAS] centers na ginagawa ngayon sa ating mga purok kalusugan na bubuuin  na rin at abangan natin ang mga mobile clinics na idedeploy sa lalong madaling panahon," Asec.  Domingo said.