Declaration of Policy
- State policy to protect and promote the people's right to health.
- Emphasis on health services being available, accessible, and affordable.
- Integrated, comprehensive approach through specialty healthcare centers across all regions.
Definition of Terms
- Advanced Comprehensive Specialty Center (ACSC): Subnational level center offering full specialty/subspecialty clinical, research, and training services.
- Basic Comprehensive Specialty Center (BCSC): Regional level center offering full specialty clinical, operational, public health research, and training.
- DOH Hospitals: Hospitals under direct Department of Health supervision.
- GOCC Specialty Hospitals: Specialized hospitals focused on specific organs/patient groups, attached to DOH (e.g., Philippine Heart Center).
- National Specialty Center (NSC): Highest expertise level in clinical services, teaching, research; designation by DOH.
- Specialty Center: Hospital units providing specialized care requiring specialized training and equipment.
Establishment and Scope of Specialty Centers
- DOH to establish specialty centers in DOH hospitals regionally and in GOCC specialty hospitals.
- Priority specialties include cancer, cardiovascular, lung, renal, brain and spine, trauma, burn, orthopedic, rehabilitation, infectious diseases, toxicology, mental health, geriatric, neonatal, dermatology, eye, ear, nose, and throat care.
- Categorization into NSCs, ACSCs, and BCSCs per Philippine Health Facility Development Plan.
- Provision of appropriate specialist equipment and prioritized funding through Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
- No separate licensing required for specialty centers operated under same management as DOH hospital.
- Collaboration among DOH, NSCs, Professional Regulation Commission, DBM, Civil Service Commission, and other relevant bodies to ensure staffing sustainability.
- DOH to determine organizational structure and staffing, subject to DBM approval and civil service laws.
Criteria for Establishing Specialty Centers
- Upgrading hospitals per DOH Resource Stratified Framework.
- Evidence of health needs/disease burden in catchment population.
- Service capability and geographic access.
- Appropriate healthcare provider level and referral roles.
- Availability of competent specialized health human resources.
- Operational financial performance and accreditation for PHIC specialized healthcare packages.
Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP)
- Inclusion of specialty centers establishment in PHFDP.
- Guide for national government investment in health facility capacity/capability.
- At least one specialty center per region within five years based on disease burden and special regional needs.
Roles and Responsibilities of National Specialty Centers (NSCs)
- Serve as core information hubs in coordination with DOH.
- Lead policy, protocol, and standards development for specialties.
- Provide highest-level clinical services and training.
- Conduct specialized clinical, public health, and operations research with multidisciplinary and multicenter methods.
- Provide specialty training and technical assistance to ACSCs and BCSCs.
- Conduct capacity and capability assessments of ACSCs and BCSCs.
Medical Specialists and Experts
- NSCs and DOH hospitals with ACSCs/BCSCs authorized to contract medical specialists/experts for training and technical assistance.
- DOH hospitals with ACSCs/BCSCs may send personnel to NSCs for training and capacity development.
Reporting and Evaluation
- DOH to submit annual reports to Congress via House and Senate health committees on specialty centers' activities, accomplishments, and plans.
- Five years after effectivity, Congress to conduct systematic evaluation of the Act's implementation and impact.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DOH to promulgate necessary rules and regulations within 60 days of effectivity, in consultation with NSCs, DOH hospitals, and concerned agencies.
Appropriations
- Initial implementation funds charged against current DOH appropriations.
- Subsequent funding included in DOH budget under General Appropriations Act for establishment and operationalization.
Separability Clause
- Parts declared unconstitutional or invalid do not affect remaining provisions, which continue in full force.
Repealing Clause
- Inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.