Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- Affirms State policy to protect and promote the right to health.
- Emphasizes accessibility, availability, and affordability of health services for all citizens.
- Advocates an integrated, comprehensive health development approach through specialty healthcare centers nationwide.
Definition of Key Terms
- Advanced Comprehensive Specialty Center (ACSC): Offers full specialty and subspecialty services at subnational level with research and training capacity.
- Basic Comprehensive Specialty Center (BCSC): Provides full specialty clinical services at regional level including research and training.
- DOH Hospitals: Hospitals under the Department of Health's direct supervision.
- GOCC Specialty Hospitals: Government-owned or controlled hospitals specializing in particular organs or patient groups (e.g., Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center).
- National Specialty Center (NSC): Highest level specialty centers with expertise in clinical services, teaching, training, research; includes certain DOH and GOCC hospitals.
- Specialty Center: Hospital unit or department providing specialized care requiring specific training and equipment.
Establishment and Prioritization of Specialty Centers
- DOH mandated to establish specialty centers in all regions in DOH hospitals and GOCC specialty hospitals according to mandates.
- Priority specialties: cancer, cardiovascular, lung, renal/kidney transplant, brain and spine, trauma, burn, orthopedic, rehabilitation, infectious/tropical diseases, toxicology, mental health, geriatric, neonatal, dermatology, eye, ENT care.
- Categorization of centers as NSCs, ACSCs, or BCSCs based on Philippine Health Facility Development Plan.
- DOH to fund and equip centers, prioritizing capital investments through Health Facilities Enhancement Program and other funding sources.
- Specialty centers physically separate but under the same hospital management do not require separate licensing.
- DOH, with multiple agencies and professional bodies, to ensure staffing sustainability via plans on production, recruitment, training, and retention of specialists.
- Organizational structure and staffing to be set by DOH, approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and compliant with civil service laws.
Criteria for Establishment of Specialty Centers
- Upgrading hospitals per DOH's Resource Stratified Framework per specialty.
- Consideration of health needs, disease burden within catchment areas.
- Service capability and physical access of hospitals.
- Appropriateness of specialized healthcare provider roles and referral networks.
- Availability of competent specialized health personnel.
- Operational and financial viability, including accreditation to access PhilHealth packages.
Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP)
- Inclusion of specialty centers establishment in PHFDP as guide for national government investments.
- Mandate to establish at least one specialty center per region within five years based on regional disease burden and needs.
Functions and Responsibilities of National Specialty Centers
- Serve as core information hubs for covered specializations and diseases in coordination with DOH.
- Lead policy, protocol, and standards development for their specialties; maintain highest clinical and training standards.
- Conduct specialized clinical, public health, and operational research with multidisciplinary or multi-center approaches.
- Provide specialty training and technical assistance to other centers to ensure quality service and strengthen care networks.
- Perform capacity and capability assessments of ACSCs and BCSCs.
Authorization to Contract Experts and Training
- NSCs and DOH hospitals with ACSCs and BCSCs authorized to contract medical specialists and experts for training and technical assistance.
- Permission for personnel from ACSCs and BCSCs to receive training and capacity development at NSCs.
Reporting Requirements to Congress
- DOH mandated to submit annual reports on specialty centers’ activities, accomplishments, and plans to relevant Congressional committees.
- Five years post-enactment, a systematic evaluation by Congressional committees to assess implementation, impact, and recommend remedial legislation.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DOH to promulgate implementing rules within 60 days of effectivity in consultation with NSCs, DOH hospitals, and other stakeholders.
Appropriations and Funding
- Initial funding charged to the current DOH budget.
- Subsequent funding to be included in DOH annual budget programs and General Appropriations Act.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision shall not affect other provisions which shall remain effective.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.