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Republic of the Philippines " GN
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES /- RECEIVED 2
Quezon City |) pate: MAY 28 20%
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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS (TIME: 2a

First Regular Session byY:__grelh ey
6857 Ser, BS
HOUSE BILL NO. INDEX

Introduced by: REP. PROSPERO A. PICHAY, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article ll, Section 15 of the Constitution provides that the state shall protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instil health consciousness among them. In
line with this, the state has the duty to provide and deliver accessible health services for
the people.

Consistent with the wisdom of said constitutional provision, it is hereby proposed
that the government should establish an Apex Hospital in every region in the Philippines.
The unfortunate reality at present is that medical services are inequitable because
specialty hospitals are geographically situated in Metro Manila. Patients in distant regions
have to endure the costly travel and accommodation to seek their needed treatment.

Regional Hospitals could not address all the needs of patients with specific organ
disease or perform organ transplant. They have to refer the patient to a Metro Manila-
based hospital. This translates to additional burden of time and money for the patient.
While a number of rural residents are living below average if not in poverty, they often
chose not to be treated because of financial constraints.


Apex Hospitals will address the medical intervention requirements of patients with
a particular organ or organs conditions. Specialty doctors will be available as well as
machineries and equipment.

The immediate passage of this bill is a fulfillment of the government's effort to
provide medical care that is comprehensive and easily accessible for the people.

In view thereof, the passage of this measure is eamestly sought.

go fi

mou PICHAY, JR.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House si.No. _ °8 57

Introduced by: REP. PROSPERO A. PICHAY, JR.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN APEX HOSPITAL WITH 500 - 1000 BED CAPACITY IN
EVERY REGION IN THE PHILIPPINES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title — This Act shall be known as the “Apex Hospitals Act of
2020."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the state to protect and
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them, provide and deliver accessible health services for the people.

SECTION 3. Definition of Apex Hospital — An Apex Hospital is an end-referral
hospital that has full complement of medical services as determined by the
Department of Health (DOH).

SECTION 4. Establishment of Apex Hospitals - The government shall
establish, construct, equip, operate, maintain, upgrade and govern in every region of
the Philippines an Apex Hospital.

‘SECTION 5. Objectives - Each Apex Hospital shall be capable of providing
medical attention to the following:

a) Renal disease treatment, dialysis and kidney transplant

b) Cardiovascular treatment, surgery, implantation and transplant

c) Musculoskeletal disorders, bone fractures, implantation and treatment of
other bone and muscle injuries

d) Respiratory ailment

e) Trauma and Rehabilitation

f) Pediatric diseases treatment

g) Neurosurgery

h) Cancer treatment

i) Infectious diseases

j) Ophthalmic care


k) Dermatology
1) Adult and Pediatric neurology and neurosurgery
m) Wellness

SECTION 6. Appropriation - Funds shall be appropriated as may be
necessary for the establishment of Apex Hospitals in all regions of the Philippines to
enable its initial operations and to implement the provisions of this Act.

Appropriations needed for the continued operations of the Apex Hospitals
shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SECTION 7. Implementation - The Department of Health and other
concemed agencies shall formulate and promulgate the Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) necessary to establish the purposes of this Act;

SECTION 8. Separability Clause — If, for any reason, any part or provision of
this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,