Aklan hospital seeks DoH Level 2 classification

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Aklan provincial hospital is eyeing to get the Level 2 hospital classification for improved health services for the people.

                                                                          PHOTO MENDING FACES

Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH), a government facility in Kalibo, Aklan, is presently classified as Level 1 hospital under the Department of Health’s (DOH) Administrative Order 2012-0012. Municipal district hospitals in Altavas, Madalag, Ibajay and Malay are also re-classified to a primary health care facility.

These government facilities are classified based on compliance with manpower, equipment, construction and physical activities standards and service capacities as provided for under Section 8 of Republic Act No 4226 or the Hospital Licensure Law. 

At present, the requirements for Level 2 hospital classification of DRSTMH is 95 percent completed and expected to be submitted to DoH regional office this April, said DRSTMH supervising administrative officer Rex Robles before the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan. 

A Level 2 hospital has all of Level 1 capacity and equipped to be able to offer services in the specialties of medicine, surgery, pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology and has a general intensive care unit for critically ill patients, neonatal intensive care unit and high-risk pregnancy unit. 

To safeguard public health and safety, DRSTMH is also upgrading its clinical laboratories capable to provide microbiology-culture and sensitivity procedures and with licensed medical technologists trained by Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).  

DRSTMH under the old classification is categorized as secondary level hospital under the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) of the provincial government of Aklan. 

In 2012, then DoH Secretary Enrique Ona classifies hospitals in the country based on ownership (government or private), scope of services (general or specialized), and functional capacity (level 1, 2 or 3).

Among others, a Level 1 hospital must have an operating room to be able to provide surgical services. A Level 3 hospital has all of Level 2 capacity plus a residency or teaching program.

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.