MPIC expands telehealth unit's portfolio

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 21) — Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) does not expect the demand for telehealth services to shrink despite eased COVID-19 rules as it scales up its digital healthcare portfolio.

mWell, MPIC's fully integrated platform, is expanding its presence in the telehealth market with the rollout of more services.

The health app has been boosted with doctor consultation, e-pharmacy, emergency services and home care, fitness, and nutrition programs.

MPIC Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan said mWell was the first to make telehealth services available to overseas Filipino workers, to introduce telemedicine with a free accident insurance package and a wellness score developed by data scientists, and to deploy a portable mobile digital clinic to remote areas.

"Metro Pacific Group’s mWell is the Philippines’ first fully integrated health app which brings together experts in technology, medicine, wellness, and healthcare in one sustainable living ecosystem," he said in a statement on Friday.

"We shall continue to set the standards in digital healthcare," the tycoon said.

Pangilinan said the group is also set to launch "affordable" wearables under mWell that are designed to track users' physical activities, sleep, heart rate, oxygen level, and other vital signs.

MPIC officially launched mWell in the local market in July 2021, over a year into the pandemic, when digital services witnessed a spike in demand. One sector that realized a boost was the telehealth market, as mobility was limited due to COVID-19 cases.