QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS

SEC. 8. Psoriasis Care Infrastructure.

– The Council, in coordination with the DOH, local government units (LGUs), and other government agencies concerned, shall strengthen the capability of public health systems and facilities to provide treatment services to psoriasis patients, through the following key activities:

(a) Allocate adequate resources for investments in health facility renovation or upgrade, inclusive of technologies and equipment for use in psoriasis treatment and care from psoriasis diagnosis to psoriasis treatment;

(b) Develop robust and effective patient referral pathways across levels of health service delivery;

(c) Provide reliable supply of psoriasis drugs and psoriasis related treatment and medicines to patients by ensuring that health facilities and local health centers have sufficient supply of essential and other medicines;

(d) Enhance the psychosocial related competencies of health providers in all levels of care and the capacity to collaborate and work effectively in an integrated, multidisciplinary setting;

(e) Institute workplace retention programs for priority psoriatic treatment disciplines where shortages exist, and in underserved areas where there are no psoriasis treatment-related practitioners;

(f) Establish clear standards and guidelines for patient care and psychosocial support, and psoriasis focused patient navigation for individuals and communities and to clearly provide individualized support during the psoriasis journey, facilitating access to information and resources as needed, throughout the psoriasis continuum of care;

(g) Establish and strengthen community level of care for psoriasis patients of all genders and ages;

(h) Ensure the proper recording, reporting, and monitoring of psoriasis cases of all genders and ages;

(i) Network and link-up with comprehensive psoriasis care centers, regional psoriasis centers, privately managed psoriasis centers, and relevant health facilities and international institutions, for knowledge and resource sharing; and

(j) All other activities and initiatives as may be identified by the Council.

SEC. 9. Psoriasis Care Center. –

The Council shall develop standards to classify, accredit and designate comprehensive psoriasis care centers, specialty psoriasis centers, stand-alone specialty psoriasis centers, regional psoriasis centers, and psoriasis satellites or stand-alone clinics. In accordance with Section 31 of this Act, the DOH, in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, shall provide for the minimum required diagnostic, therapeutic, research capacities and facilities, technical, operational, and personnel standards of these centers, as well as the appropriate licensing and accreditation requirements, and procedure for licensing in a timely manner. The use of Public-Private Partnership shall be allowed on the procurement of psoriasis care infrastructure and delivery of services to improve access to and services to hasten delivery of essential treatment services and promote efficiency in fiscal utilization for psoriasis program and projects. Private institutions may also be accredited as comprehensive psoriasis care centers, specialty psoriasis centers, stand-alone specialty psoriasis care centers, regional psoriasis centers, and psoriasis satellites or stand-alone clinics, provided they comply with the requirements for such accreditation.

The PCC shall have the following purposes and objectives:

(a) To ensure strategic alignment with the national psoriasis care and control plans and programs;

(b) To provide for accommodation, facilities and medical treatment of patients suffering from psoriasis, subject to the rules and regulations of the PCC;

(c) To promote, encourage and engage in scientific research on psoriasis and the care and treatment of psoriasis patients and related activities;

(d) To stimulate and underwrite scientific research on the biological, demographic, social, economic, psychological, physiological aspects of psoriasis, including its comorbidities that makes it as risk factor for other serious inflammatory disease; and gather, compile, and publish the findings of such researches for public dissemination;

(e) To encourage and undertake the training of physicians, pathologists, psychologists, nurses, medical and laboratory technicians, health officers and social workers on the practical and
scientific conduct and implementation of psoriasis health care services, and related activities; and

(f) To assist universities, hospitals, and research institutions in their studies of psoriasis, to encourage advanced training on matters of, or affecting the psoriatic patients, and related fields and to support educational programs of value to general health.

SECTION 10. Regional/Provincial/Municipal Psoriasis Care Centers. –

The objectives and functions of a Regional/Provincial/Municipal psoriasis center are as follows:

(a) Provide timely, developmentally appropriate, and high-quality medical services such as screening, diagnosis, optimal treatment and care, supportive care management including follow-up care, and reintegration and rehabilitation, to psoriasis patients of all genders and ages;

(b) Establish, as necessary, networks with both public and private facilities to improve access, expand the range of services, reduce costs and bring services closer to patients;

(c) Provide and promote patient navigation and other measures to improve the well-being and quality of life of people living with psoriasis, their families, and carers;

(d) Design and implement high-impact, innovative, and relevant local communications campaigns that are context and culture-sensitive, and aligned with national programs;

(e) Undertake and support the training of physicians, psychologists, nurses, medical technicians, pharmacists, health officers, and social workers on evidence-based and good practice models for the delivery of responsive, multidisciplinary, integrated psoriasis care and services;

(f) Address the psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of psoriasis patients, their carers, and families;

(g) Adopt and promote evidence-based innovations, good practice models, equitable, sustainable strategies;

(h) Engage and collaborate with LGUs, private sector, philanthropic institutions, psoriasis focused patient support, advocacy organizations, and civil society organizations to make available programs and services and practical assistance to psoriasis patients, their carers, and their families; and

(i) Promote and assist in ethical scientific research on matters related to psoriasis.

SECTION 11. Capacity Development.

- The DOH, in collaboration with professional medical societies actively treating psoriasis patients, LGUs leagues, and LGU-based health associations, academic institutions, human resources units of psoriasis care centers, civil society organizations, and the private sector, shall formulate, implement and update capacity development program for all health care workers providing psoriasis care service and support at all levels of the health care delivery system.

SECTION. 12. Psoriasis-Related Academic Curriculum.

–The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in collaboration with the DOH, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), psoriasis focused professional societies, accrediting institutions and patient support organizations, shall undertake an assessment of current psoriasis-related academic curriculum and ensure that the curriculum meets local needs and global practice standards. The CHED shall encourage HEIs to offer degree programs for high-priority psoriasis-related specializations and continuing education programs related to psoriasis treatment and care.

The DOH, in collaboration with academic institutions, shall provide subsidies and scholarships for training of medical professionals, such as dermatologists, rheumatologists, and other specialized medical professionals related with the treatment and care of psoriasis.