CONSULAR INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 08, SERIES, 1999
 
 
MEDICAL AND DENTAL MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The conduct of medical and dental missions in the Philippines by foreign medical groups are governed by specific rules and regulations administered by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). It is essential that these missions obtain, prior to the conduct of their charitable undertakings, permits from the DOH and from the PRC.

1. Procedures under the Department of Health

A.    The foreign medical/dental team shall forward a written request to conduct the medical/dental mission to the Director, Foreign Assistance Coordination Service (FACS), Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines. The request should be forwarded at least three (3) months before the proposed mission is to take place. The request must contain the following information:

• Nature and objectives of the proposed mission;

• Location/venue and duration of the mission;

• Composition of the medical/dental team and credentials of each medical/paramedical member;

• Funding support;

• List of medicines (generic and brand names), and medical supplies to be brought in or donated, with the corresponding quantity and approximate value;

• Local counterpart/s. of any; and

• Assistance required from the Philippine Government.

B.    After its review, the FACS shall submit its recommendations to the Secretary of Health;

C.    The Head of the Medical Mission shall be informed, within two (2) weeks after receipt of the request of the following:

• Approval or disapproval of the request, and the reason for the decision;

• If further consideration is being done, recommended activities, tentative schedules, alternative sites/venues/arrangements, if any; and

• Additional requirements that have to be complied with.

D.    Head of Medical Mission will give concurrence or comments on the DOH recommended activities, schedules, alternative arrangements;

E.    Upon approval of the request, the local counterpart/s of the medical mission team shall coordinate the activities with the Regional Director, DOH and/or Medical Society concerned;

F.    The medical team shall also coordinate the conduct of the medical/dental mission with the Professional Regulation Commission at least 60 days before the actual mission and comply with its requirements;

G.    Upon completion of the mission, the medical team shall submit an exit/termination report to the FACS, through the Regional Director concerned; and

H.    Patients handled by the mission must be endorsed for follow-up medical service to the nearest health facility of the Department of Health or the local medical society.

2. Guidelines under the Professional Regulation Commission for the granting of permits to foreign medical practitioners and societies:
 

A.     A foreign medical/dental mission can only be conducted in a duly-specified locality with the expressed and written consent of the local medical society thereat;

B.    With the help of DOH, the local medical society shall pre-screen the patients who may be treated by a particular medical mission;

C.    For the practice of a medical specialty, written consent must be given by the local specialty society;

D.    The medical work must be supervised, controlled, and approved by the local medical society and/or local specialty society;

E.    Records of the work done must be kept and copies submitted to the DOH, PRC, and specialty society concerned, and the Philippine Medical Association;

F.    The PRC shall grant a special permit to foreign physicians to practice medicine upon fulfillment fo the following requirements:

• Submission of letter by sponsoring/local association, organization, or entity requesting the PRC and the concerned Professional Regulatory Board for the issuance of Temporary Special Permits to members of the Medical/Dental Mission to practice their professions in the Philippines for a period not to exceed 30 days;

• Applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board of Medicine that he/she is trained specialist as attested by his/her curriculum vitae, duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate; and

• Applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board of Medicine that he/she is a trained specialist as attested by his/her curriculum vitae, duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate.

G.    The local medical society, specialty society, or the DOH shall endorse the mission to the Board of Medicine; and

H.    Decisions on the application for a special permit will be issued by the Medical Board.

For further details/clarification, please communicate directly with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) to effectively coordinate requirements with agencies concerned. A lead time of at least sixty days prior to the medical mission should be observed in coordinating these matters with CFO. The Commission may be contacted at 1345 Citigold Center, Quirino Avenue, corner South Superhighway, Manila; tel. nos (0632) 562-38-52 to 53; fax no. (0632) 561-83-32, or through e-mail address: cfodfa@mnl.sequel.net.
 

Consular Services Office, Embassy of the Philippines, 16 August 1999