QuestionsQuestions (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2007-0041)
It provides guidelines requiring all private hospitals to allocate a certain percentage of their authorized bed capacity exclusively for charity beds, to promote access to affordable health services for indigent patients.
All private hospitals in the Philippines, as defined under the Order as hospitals privately owned and operated with funds through donation, principal, investment, or other means.
Not less than ten percent (10%) of the hospital’s authorized bed capacity.
A hospital bed specifically and solely allocated for the confinement of indigent patients or patients classified as Class C or D, as defined by the referenced DOH Administrative Order on patient classification and medical social services.
Either patients who satisfy the criteria for Class C and D (as defined in the referenced Administrative Order No. 51-A, s. 2000) or indigent patients as defined in AO No. 2007-0041.
A patient certified as indigent by a municipal social worker, or in his/her absence by the barangay chairman, municipal/city health officer, medical social worker, or chief of the nearest district/city/provincial hospital.
The Order cites the 1987 Constitution’s mandates on the right to health (Art. III, Sec. 15) and the State’s integrated approach to health development and availability of essential goods and social services at affordable cost (Art. XIII, Sec. 11).
It notes that government hospitals are already mandated by Republic Act No. 1939 to operate with at least 90% of bed capacity as free or charity beds, while at the time there was no similar requirement for private hospitals.
It is explicitly required “as a requirement for licensure,” meaning private hospitals must comply for purposes of obtaining/maintaining licensure under the applicable DOH licensure system.
Administrative Order No. 51-A, s. 2000: Implementing Guidelines on Classification of Patients and on Availment of Medical Social Services in Government Hospitals, dated October 12, 2001.
Administrative Order No. 147 s. 2004 as amended by Administrative Order No. 2005-0029, Administrative Order No. 2007-0021, and Administrative Order No. 2007-0022 (including harmonization and streamlining/one-stop shop licensure system violations and sanctions).
The Order states that violations of AO No. 2007-0041 are considered violations of existing rules and regulations governing registration, licensure, and operations of hospitals under the cited hospital licensure administrative framework.
If any provision is declared unauthorized or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected by the declaration remain valid and effective.
Fifteen (15) days after its approval and publication in the official gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
It rescinds and modifies provisions from previous issuances that are inconsistent or contrary to AO No. 2007-0041.
No. Charity beds must be specifically and solely allocated for the confinement of indigent patients or Class C/D patients as defined by the incorporated guidelines.
The percentage requirement (10%) applies to the hospital’s authorized bed capacity, meaning the calculation is based on the capacity that is officially authorized under DOH licensure, not on beds added informally or beyond authorization.
It was adopted on 7 November 2007 and signed by (SGD.) Francisco T. Duque III, M.D., M.Sc., Secretary of Health.