Question & AnswerQ&A (Administrative Order No. 2017-0002)
The main purpose is to prescribe guidelines and procedures for the certification of Free Standing Private Family Planning Clinics to ensure access to safe and quality modern family planning (FP) services for all and provide gender-sensitive delivery of such services.
They can provide contraceptive pills and injectables, natural FP methods, contraceptive implants, intrauterine devices (IUD), and no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV), but they cannot provide bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) and other surgical procedures.
The clinic may reapply for certification after addressing deficiencies with a waiting period of 30-45 days; if non-compliant on three consecutive occasions, the waiting period increases to 60-90 days.
Yes, individual healthcare providers such as physicians can prescribe contraceptive pills or provide contraceptive implants or injectables in their offices or clinics without the need for the Free Standing FP Clinics certification.
Use of fake or fraudulent documents or signatures may result in the suspension or revocation of the certification of the Free Standing Family Planning Clinic.
No, Free Standing FP Clinics shall not charge any fee for services rendered to marginalized individuals or couples who need reproductive health services and commodities.
They must clearly indicate their functional capacity by including the words 'Family Planning Clinic' in their registered or displayed name.
The DOH Regional Office reviews the documents and approves or disapproves scheduling of a Certification Visit. If disapproved, the applicant can revise and resubmit documents twice before approval.
The management of a Free Standing Family Planning Clinic aggrieved by the DOH RO decision may file a notice of appeal to the Office of the Secretary of Health within ten (10) days from receipt of the decision.
The clinic should have at least one trained health service provider in Family Planning and Competency-Based Training Levels 1 and 2, including skills in Progestin Subdermal Implant insertion and removal, and NSV if providing such services.
They must accomplish FP Form 1, submit FP inventory reports, monthly and summary reports regularly to their respective local government health units, and submit lists of PhilHealth-accredited members they provide services to.
Clinics must ensure that healthcare waste management, including collection, treatment, and disposal systems, are implemented according to applicable local ordinances and national regulations.
All DOH-certified Free Standing FP Clinics are deemed qualified for PhilHealth accreditation for modern FP procedures allowed under the Order and compensable in primary care facilities without inpatient beds, subject to PhilHealth rules.