LEGAZPI CITY -— The Department of Health-Center for Health and Development (DOH-CHD) in Bicol announced that it will start issuing licenses to government and private hospitals for this year’s operation.

        DOH Bicol regional director Nestor Santiago explained that most of the district hospitals have already submitted their applications for a License to Operate to the DOH regional office here. “Only the Baras Community Hospital in Camarines Sur has no license to operate due to lack of a doctor”.

        Santiago said the licensing process and regulatory functions for hospitals given to the CHDs in the region is pursuant to the DOH’s reform initiative known as FOURmula ONE for Health” which seeks to harmonize and streamline systems to make health regulation more rational and client-responsive.

        One mechanism under the initiative is the establishment of a One-Stop-Shop for the licensure of hospitals and the decentralization of appropriate regulatory functions to DOH.”

        Previously, applicants for a hospital’s license to operate had to acquire separate licenses for its ancillary services such as the clinical laboratory, x-ray facility and pharmacy. Now, a single license would be issued by a single regulatory office in the DOH, thus minimizing costs on the part of the applicants as well as the government.

        Santiago said that under the general guidelines, the CHD shall operate a One-Stop-Shop unit for the renewal of the License to Operate (LTO) of Level 1 and Level 2 hospitals. “Automatic renewal shall not apply for hospitals that are non-compliant with licensing standards and requirements and those found violating existing rules and regulations.”

        Starting January this year, the LTO of all existing hospitals will be renewed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

        According to Santiago, if the hospital or its personnel are found to be in violation of the law, the DOHe shall impose the corresponding sanctions, with government health personnel subject to appropriate disciplinary action under Civil Service rules.

        If any of the involved personnel are professionals, then the report finding will be considered as a formal complaint against them and shall be immediately filed with appropriate professional regulatory board of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). (PNA)