Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11332)
The short title is the "Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act."
The primary policy is to protect and promote the right to health of the people, instill health consciousness, and protect the public from health threats through effective disease surveillance and response systems.
Disease refers to an illness due to a specific toxic substance, occupational exposure, or infectious agent affecting a susceptible individual directly or indirectly, including through intermediate hosts or the environment.
Mandatory reporting is the obligatory reporting of a condition to local or state health authorities as required for notifiable diseases, epidemics, or public health events of concern.
The Department of Health (DOH) and its local counterparts are mandated to implement mandatory reporting.
All public and private physicians, allied medical personnel, professional societies, hospitals, clinics, health facilities, laboratories, institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports, establishments, communities, other government agencies, and NGOs.
The Secretary of Health has the authority to declare epidemics of national and/or international concern, except when the issue threatens national security, which requires the President to declare a State of Public Health Emergency.
Prohibited acts include unauthorized disclosure of private medical information, tampering with records, non-operation of surveillance systems, and non-cooperation of persons/entities expected to report or respond to notifiable diseases or health events.
Violators may be fined between Twenty Thousand to Fifty Thousand pesos and/or imprisoned from one to six months. Medical professionals may face suspension or revocation of licenses, and public servants may have civil service eligibility suspended or revoked.
ESUs are established to capture and verify reports of notifiable diseases and health events, provide timely epidemiologic information, conduct disease surveillance and response activities, coordinate responses, and facilitate capacity building in epidemiology and disease control.
It requires respect for people's rights to liberty, bodily integrity, and privacy to the fullest extent possible while maintaining public health. Disclosure of confidential information is prohibited unless required by a legal court order.
The DOH and local counterparts shall ensure that personnel involved have adequate capacity and that their safety and protection rights are upheld, including provision of personal protective equipment and health insurance.
The Act promotes expanding collaboration beyond traditional health partners to include agencies related to agriculture, environment, law enforcement, transportation, communication, and other sectors involved in disease surveillance and response.
The chief executive or responsible officer is liable; the facility's business permit and license to operate may be cancelled.