Super Health Centers in All Cities and Municipalities Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 10 P6:02 First Regular Session RECSIED S. B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF SUPER HEALTH CENTERS IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Access to essential health care services remains a major challenge. Filipinos often travel from rural areas to cities to seek medical care because most hospitals in the country are located in Metro Manila and urban centers. Aside from the hardship of travelling for hours, other patients tend to queue the night before or as early as dusk to get the health services they need since a number of hospitals have a limit or available slots for consultations and diagnostic laboratory services per day. Medical conditions may be prevented if healthcare services are accessible and detected early. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Thus, the country should invest more in making primary healthcare accessible, available and affordable. This bill proposes the creation of Super Health Centers in every city and municipality in the country, envisioned to actualize constitutional policies on health. Section 15 of Article Il of the 1987 Constitution states that "[the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." The passage of this bill will help strengthen our primary health care system and increase its accessibility to the people. These centers will operate 24/7 and will provide various medical services to the people including specialized services, concentrating mainly on those who have low-risk, less serious or uncomplicated cases. The Super Health Centers can help ease the burden for patients who are compelled to go to distant hospitals for basic treatments or consultations. To date, the City of Taguig has three 24/7 Super Health Centers.' These Super Health Centers have licensed doctors, midwives and nurses offering medical check-up, diagnostic laboratory services, pre-natal check-up, delivery services such as normal spontaneous delivery, newborn screening and essential newborn care. Taguig residents are a testament to the success of these Super Health Centers for the easy access and quality primary care it promised and continues to fulfill, as they hail the accessibility and assistance they get, especially in medical emergencies. 1 Taguig Super Health Centers https://www.taguig.gov.ph/health/hospitals-and-centers/; Note: Data confirmed with CH

The Department of Health also launched a Super Health Center in Laguna last year. It is a semi-hospital that is larger than the usual regional health unit, and is equipped with a birthing facility, pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory services and ambulatory surgical unit. Replicating Super Health Centers in every city or municipality will contribute to the national government's mandate of delivering a comprehensive and accessible health care within the reach of the people. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health should not only be a constitutional dictum or remain an aspiration, but must actually be realized for the benefit of every Filipino. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO T

Offee of tir Eara TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 10 P5:02 First Regular Session S. B. No. 120 RECENED A INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPAÑERO" S. CAYETANO AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF SUPER HEALTH CENTERS IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Super Health Centers

2 in All Cities and Municipalities Act."

SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - Section 15 of Article Il of the 1987 Constitution

provides that "[the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." On the other hand, Section 16 of Article I| provides that "[the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature." Healthcare that is based on practical, scientifically-sound and socially acceptable methods and technology should be made universally accessible to individuals and families in every city and municipality in the country. It is therefore the bounden duty of the State to build world class but accessible and affordable health and educational facilities throughout the country that provide excellent services to the Filipino people.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -

a. "Primary health services" or "primary health care" shall mean the initial contact of an individual with an accessible and coordinated health system to manage health problems or issues that are less severe or uncomplicated, including, but not limited to the following: i. Diagnosis and treatment of health problems; ii. Prevention of health problems; iii. Early intervention; and iv. Managing ongoing and long-term conditions. b. "Super Health Center" shall mean an accessible and fully equipped health hub that delivers primary health services and caters to less severe, uncomplicated or out-patient health care services.

SEC. 4. Establishment of Super Health Centers. - Each city and municipality

shall establish at least one Super Health Center within its territorial jurisdiction. The Super Health Centers shall have the following minimum standards: a) Facilities, rooms, and spaces which are accessible, especially to the elderly and Persons with Disability, and with appropriate signage; b) Basic health equipment and facilities appropriate for the provision of primary health services; c) Availability of commonly-used generic medicines and vaccines; and d) Data and information management system that shall contain, store, and secure the health and other relevant data of the patients, in accordance with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act. The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall issue guidelines for the proper implementation of this Act, and shall provide assistance to cities and municipalities in establishing the Super Health Centers. Medical services provided within the Super Health Centers and their providers shall be accredited by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

SEC. 5. Staffing. - All Super Health Centers established under this Act shall have

such sufficient number of staffing as determined by the DOH, dependent on the population of the city or municipality concerned. The LGU concerned shall hire all Super Health Center staff as job order, casual, contractual, or regular employees. Barangay health workers currently serving the city or municipality shall be given preference in the hiring under this Act.

SEC. 6. Services. - All Super Health Centers established under this Act shall be

equipped with the most basic facilities that can cater to less severe, uncomplicated, and/or out-patient health care services.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within 60 days upon the

approval of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DSWD, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, shall prepare and issue such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Thereafter, the DPWH shall ensure the commencement of the creation of Super Health Centers within the fiscal year after appropriating the budget therefore.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be appropriated from the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment, and every year thereafter.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is declared

invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts hereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive

orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,