‘We want health to be close to the Filipino’: Fullerton Health PH marks first year, eyes expansion
- Joanna Garingarao
- Jul 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Fullerton Health Philippines, which completes its first year of operations, is now doubling down on its vision of making preventive care more accessible to Filipino patients, especially those accustomed to hospital-based medical systems.
In an interview, Carmie de Leon, the company’s country general manager, said Fullerton’s goal is to simplify how Filipinos experience healthcare. “Health should be close to the Filipino – easy, accessible, and not intimidating,” she said.
The company currently offers five preventive care packages – Gold, Silver, Platinum, Sapphire and Diamond. The most comprehensive option, the Diamond package, is recommended for patients seeking full diagnostics and long-term health planning.
De Leon acknowledged that one of Fullerton’s early challenges has been changing long-standing patient behaviors. “Filipinos are used to going to hospitals, even if it means waiting in long lines or risking infection,” she said. “What we’re doing is shifting that mindset and showing there’s a more efficient, comfortable alternative.”
Fullerton, located in Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, positions itself as a hub for outpatient diagnostics and executive checkups. The facility has drawn praise from patients, reflected in consistently high Google reviews. According to De Leon, many describe their experiences as superior to hospital visits, citing time savings, cost efficiency and a more personalized approach.
Earlier this year, Fullerton received the Service Innovation Award from Healthcare Asia, which is its first international recognition. “It validates our model,” De Leon said. “We’re not just a clinic; we’re innovating how healthcare is delivered.”
Following that milestone, the company is now targeting corporate clients. Fullerton is preparing to launch a Corporate Executive Health Analysis program, which offers companies in-depth health profiling of their senior leaders. “There’s a growing need,” De Leon said, citing rising HMO costs and increasing mental health issues among workers.
Fullerton’s services include comprehensive laboratory testing, cancer screenings and advanced imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, 2D echo and treadmill ECG. Digital mammograms are offered as well and, according to De Leon, are designed to be pain-free.
She recalled a patient who had no symptoms but was found to have a 95 percent arterial blockage following a routine executive checkup. “That’s the power of preventive diagnostics,” she said.
For now, the company is not expanding into treatment services like dialysis or chemotherapy. De Leon said the company is staying focused on prevention and diagnostics, which is a core area it has developed extensively in Singapore, where Fullerton performs about 45,000 executive checkups annually.
De Leon noted that Fullerton’s outpatient model offers significant cost advantages over hospital-based care. “What a company saves in hospital costs could be equivalent to a 14th-month bonus for their employees,” she said. “Plus, the service is faster and more comfortable.”
These advantages, she said, are driving partnerships with HMOs and large employers.
While De Leon said industry awards are meaningful, Fullerton measures success more directly through patient feedback and return visits. “We don’t use influencers or paid promotions. We rely on actual patient experience,” she said. “The fact that they come back, or tell their friends and colleagues, that’s the real gauge of impact.”
The medical team at Fullerton includes certified lifestyle medicine doctors and specialists who also practice in major hospitals. The center is also home to a full-time chief radiologist, Dr. Don, who oversees imaging services to ensure compliance with international standards. “Our doctors are focused on wellness, not just treatment,” De Leon said.
While Fullerton has not actively marketed itself as a medical tourism provider, it has already begun attracting international patients. De Leon said clients from Monaco, Europe and Singapore have visited the facility. “Filipinos who used to fly abroad for checkups are now coming here,” she said.
Plans are underway to explore partnerships with the Department of Tourism and hospitality groups, offering clients the option of post-checkup relaxation in destinations such as Tagaytay and La Union.
De Leon cited staffing as another early hurdle. Many nurses, she said, leave the country or shift to higher-paying BPO jobs. “We engage our team by aligning them with our mission. They may not earn as much as they would abroad, but they practice with purpose,” she said. “They promote health and serve their community.”
The company maintains active outreach on digital platforms and through face-to-face engagements, including corporate roadshows.
To mark its anniversary, Fullerton is offering five promotional discounts, including a 10 percent Mastercard rebate and reduced rates on mammograms and cancer screenings. All details are available on the company’s social media platforms.
When asked about expansion, De Leon said a second branch is already in planning. “It’s not a matter of if, but when,” she said. “We want to perfect our service before scaling. We're not rushing – we're doing it right.”
Fullerton plans to roll out additional diagnostic services, including gut health screening and full-spectrum health risk assessments. It also continues to conduct medical education roadshows in communities and corporations, which is an effort De Leon considers part of the company’s corporate social responsibility. “Eventually, we want to tie these checkups to giving back,” she said, citing a partnership with a foundation. “If you book an executive checkup, a portion could go toward community health programs.”
De Leon, reflecting on their first year, said the most rewarding part has been watching patients feel empowered by the experience. “What used to be scary, such as blood tests, checkups, is now something people enjoy,” she said. “That’s what tells me we’re making progress.”
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