Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 29) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure mandating the establishment of more specialty centers in hospitals across the country to ensure “accessible and affordable healthcare services for all,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Tuesday.
The PCO said Marcos approved last Thursday, Aug. 24, Republic Act No. 11959 or the \”Regional Specialty Centers Act.\”
Under the new law, the Department of Health (DOH) will put up specialty centers in its hospitals in every region and in government owned and controlled specialty hospitals, prioritizing cancer care, cardiovascular care, lung care, renal care and kidney transplant, brain and spine care, trauma care and burn care, among others.
The PCO said the centers will 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.
In his first State of the Nation Address last year, Marcos said he wants to add more specialized hospitals to extend medical assistance to more people in the provinces.
The president acknowledged that many are still availing the services of public hospitals like the Heart Center, Lung Center, National Children’ s Hospital, and National Kidney and Transplant Institute, which are all located in Metro Manila.
According to the PCO, the specialty facilities will be categorized based on the level of their service capability. They will be classified as national specialty centers, advanced comprehensive specialty centers, or basic comprehensive specialty centers.
The new law will take effect 15 days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
