President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the Republic Act (RA) No. 11959, also known as the “Regional Specialty Centers Act,” as part of the administration’s efforts to establish and institutionalize healthcare centers in the region, ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare services for all.
Under the law, the Department of Health (DOH) is designated to establish specialty centers in its hospitals in every region and in government-owned and controlled corporation (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.
The law also mandates the DOH to categorize the level of service capability of the specialty centers as National Specialty Centers (NSCs), Advanced Comprehensive Specialty Centers (ACSCs), and Basic Comprehensive Specialty Centers (BCSCs) pursuant to the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan. It also emphasizes that the establishment of 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.
(Source: Presidential Communications Office)
