Question & AnswerQ&A (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 85-A)
The rules are known as the "Revised Rules and Regulations Governing Accreditation of Medical Clinics and Hospitals and the Conduct of Medical Examination for Overseas Workers and Seafarers."
To establish, regulate, and upgrade the standards of medical service and examination of overseas land-based workers and seafarers for employment, ensuring only occupationally qualified, physically and medically fit persons participate in employment programs.
They apply to licensed and registered medical clinics, hospitals, and laboratories seeking to provide medical examination services to private recruitment entities, manning agencies, and shipping companies for overseas or interisland employment.
The Department of Health, through the Bureau of Licensing and Regulation in the Office of Standards and Regulation.
Regular land-based overseas workers clinic, seafarers clinic, seafarers and land-based overseas workers clinic, and in-house (land-based/seafarers) clinic.
A bond of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00) is required for regular land-based, seafarers clinics, combined clinics, and in-house clinics except those owned by the company.
Adequate facilities like examining tables, stethoscopes, X-ray facilities licensed by the Bureau of Licensing and Regulation, licensed laboratories capable of specific tests, physical plant including reception, consultation and treatment rooms, and qualified medical personnel including physicians, nurses, specialists, and support staff.
Medical examinations must be conducted only by accredited hospitals or clinics after acceptance decision by the agency/company, following specified medical tests within a prescribed scope, and results must be submitted to the referring agency/company within 48 hours.
First offense: one month suspension of accreditation; Second offense: three months suspension; Third offense: revocation of accreditation.
First offense results in six months suspension of accreditation; second offense results in revocation of accreditation.
Such a change without notification will result in denial of accreditation.
The certificate must be renewed every year before expiration; failure to renew within three (3) months after expiration leads to cancellation of registration and loss of accreditation.
No, the certificate of accreditation and any rights granted are not assignable or transferable.
The Director of the Bureau of Licensing and Regulation or authorized representatives, assisted by medical experts and representatives of the Department of Health regional and local health officers.