President Marcos approves law establishing specialty centers in government hospitals

CEBU, Philippines — President Marcos has signed into law a measure mandating the establishment of specialty centers in Department of Health-run hospitals and in government-owned or -controlled corporation (GOCC) hospitals in the country.

Signed on Aug. 24, Republic Act (RA) 11959 or the “Regional Specialty Centers Act” aims to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services for all Filipinos.

Under the law, the DOH is designated to establish specialty centers in its hospitals in every region and in GOCC specialty hospitals, prioritizing cancer care, cardiovascular care, lung care, renal care and kidney transplant, brain and spine care, trauma care and burn care.

The specialty centers shall also prioritize orthopedic care, physical rehabilitation medicine, infectious disease and tropical medicine, toxicology, mental health, geriatric care, neonatal care, dermatology, eye care, and ear, nose, and throat care.

RA 11959 also mandates the DOH to categorize the level of service capability of the specialty centers as National Specialty Centers, Advanced Comprehensive Specialty Centers, and Basic Comprehensive Specialty Centers pursuant to the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan.

The specialty centers shall adhere to the guidelines set by the DOH on planning and prioritizing health facilities based on the upgrading of hospitals, evidence of the health needs and demands, and service capability of hospitals and geographic or physical access, the law said.

The amount necessary for the initial implementation of the law shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the DOH and shall include in its program the establishment and operationalization of the specialty centers in its annual budget thereafter.

GOCC specialty hospitals include the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute,  Lung Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

In a speech in Pampanga in July, Marcos committed to strengthen medical services at the barangay level and put up more specialty hospitals with the help of the private sector.

The President said healthcare is an important part of his administration, citing the lessons learned during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected people regardless of their social status.

“That is why it is a fundamental part of the services that this government will bring to our people. It is not a privilege to have healthcare. It is a right and that is how we will approach this problem and that is how we will continue to make our healthcare system better for all Filipinos in whatever capacity that we are able to do," he said.— (FREEMAN)