In a statement, the DOH said it is prepared to implement provisions of the proposed measure as soon as it is signed into a law.
“Upon the enactment of this Act, the DOH will establish at least one specialty center in every region within five years based on the area’s top burden of disease and special needs,” said the DOH.
“The DOH guarantees that the establishment of specialty hospitals will adhere to the set guidelines on planning and prioritizing health facilities, and that these facilities will provide quality health services,” it added.
And once the local specialty centers have been established, the health department said it believes that the promise of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law will become closer to being fulfilled.
“With the establishment of 231 new specialty centers across the regions, the DOH will provide accessible and affordable specialized health services for more communities across the country, thus boosting the implementation of the UHC,” said the DOH.
Earlier in the week, the proposed creation of specialty centers in local hospitals across the country was approved by the Senate on third and final reading.
Last month, the House of Representatives already approved a counterpart measure for the regional specialty centers.
The proposed law seeks to establish regional branches of the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and Philippine Cancer Center. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)