MANILA — Metro Pacific Investments Corp.'s digital healthcare subsidiary, mWell, is drawing significant attention from investors as telemedicine and integrated health solutions gain traction in the Philippines.
MPIC Chief Finance Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla revealed that multiple investors have expressed interest in the tech-based platform, which is led by businessman Manuel Pangilinan. "A lot of investors have really been looking at mWell, even when we were exploring Metro Pacific Health before," she stated. "They were saying they want to invest in MPH, and they want to include mWell as well."
Interest extends beyond traditional healthcare backers, with non-MPH investors evaluating mWell as a standalone opportunity due to its global recognition and expanding role in digital healthcare delivery.
Despite the enthusiasm, MPIC is proceeding cautiously. "We are in discussions, but we haven't really committed to anyone yet," Cabal-Revilla explained, noting that the group is prioritizing operational improvements before bringing in partners.
A key focus is the integration of mWell with KonsultaMD, which MPIC acquired last year. The company is consolidating platforms to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. "We're trying to optimize them and kill nonperforming ones to improve cost efficiency," she said. "We are working toward having a unified doctor platform and a unified patient platform."
Originally projected to take three years, the integration timeline has been accelerated to approximately eighteen months, with the company nearing its first year of execution.
Beyond capital infusion, MPIC is exploring partnerships that could provide technical expertise. Cabal-Revilla mentioned that overseas groups have approached the company about white-labeling mWell in their markets, meaning they would operate it under their own brand. "But before we do that, we want to complete our backend integration to make expansion faster and more efficient," she emphasized.
The push comes as the Philippines continues to face significant healthcare access challenges. Cabal-Revilla cited alarming statistics: six out of ten Filipinos die without ever seeing a doctor, while doctor-to-patient ratios remain well below global standards.
She highlighted mWell's potential to bridge this gap through digital tools including teleconsultation services, health identification systems, and portable "clinic in a bag" solutions deployable in underserved areas. "Everything the country needs in terms of health requirements is already within mWell," she asserted.
Financially, the platform is approaching a critical milestone. Cabal-Revilla reported that mWell was profitable on a standalone basis last year, though the inclusion of KonsultaMD resulted in a modest annual loss of less than ₱50 million.