The doctor is in — anytime, anywhere. Soon, even more Filipinos will have a digital front door to healthcare as Metro Pacific Health Tech Corp. (mWell), the digital healthcare arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), acquires KonsultaMD from the Ayala Group to expand telehealth services nationwide.

mWell said Tuesday that both conglomerates have agreed on the plan, which will drive MPIC’s healthcare expansion, including Metro Pacific Health. However, the company did not disclose details such as the investment amount or when the deal will formally take effect.

Brand retention

Amid the pending ownership transfer, mWell assured that KonsultaMD would retain its brand and continue operations under the Pangilinan group to ensure service continuity while expanding healthcare access.

“Progress for any country depends on a healthy citizenry. This agreement represents a giant step forward towards real, immediate, and reliable care for our countrymen,” mWell chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

As for Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, the acquisition supports the group’s vision of delivering accessible and inclusive healthcare solutions to Filipinos.

KonsultaMD, the flagship health app of Globe’s 917Ventures, has grown from a 2015 health hotline into a telehealth platform with 2.7 million users. It offers 24/7 doctor consultations, diagnostics, medicine delivery and home care.

Integrated digital health ecosystem

On the other hand, mWell, with 3.1 million users, provides an integrated digital health ecosystem that includes consultations, wellness resources, and mental health support, reaching users across Asia, South America, Africa, North America, Oceania and Europe.