DOH eases requirement for hospital setup

MANILA, Philippines — To speed up the establishment of medical facilities nationwide, the Department of Health (DOH) has reduced the number of requirements in setting up hospitals and similar structures.

The certificate of need or CON will no longer be required for the establishment of government or privately owned hospitals and medical facilities, according to a recently released department administrative order (DAO) signed by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.

The CON will also not be required in the upgrade of existing DOH-licensed infirmaries and other health facilities into hospitals.

An old DAO on the guidelines for the establishment of hospitals and medical facilities requires applicants to first secure a CON.

The DOH said the old DAO, which was issued in March 2006, discouraged investment in the health sector, especially private entities due to additional regulatory requirements.

Herbosa said that despite the 33-percent increase in authorized bed capacity from 2004 to 2022, the bed to population ratio remains static over the years at one per 1,000 population.

He said the problem, if not properly addressed, would limit Filipinos’ access to appropriate and adequate health services.

“With the removal of the CON, all general hospitals should now secure DOH authorization and comply with the licensing standards and requirements set by the Health Facilities and Regulatory Bureau, and the Food and Drug Administration,” the DOH order read.