Birthing homes now required to secure DOH license

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has reminded all private and public lying-in clinics and other birthing homes nationwide that they are now required to secure a license to operate (LTO) from the agency before they can apply for permits from local government units (LGUs).

DOH-National Capital Region director Eduardo Janairo said they have sent “notifications” to such facilities in Metro Manila to comply with DOH Administrative Order (AO) No. 2012-0012 which lays down the rules and regulations governing the new classification of hospitals and other health facilities in the country.

Janairo said they are coordinating with the mayors of the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila “in informing and requiring current business and sanitary permit to applicants specifically those who want to engage in birthing home operations” to first secure LTOs from the DOH-NCR’s Licensing, Regulation and Enforcement Division. 

Infirmaries and birthing homes, according to the AO, will be licensed by the DOH’s regional offices.

A birthing home pertains to a facility that provides birthing service on prenatal and post-natal care, normal spontaneous delivery, and care of newborn babies.

According to Janairo, the directive was aimed at strengthening “the capability of birthing homes through a well-developed structural foundation, well-defined system of operation and management of a duly licensed and skilled staff.”

Earlier, a DOH-NCR study showed that hemorrhage or bleeding was the leading cause of maternal deaths, followed by infection, unsafe abortion, hypertensive disorders, and obstructed labor.

By Jan. 1, 2015, Janairo said LTOs would also become a requisite for all birthing homes that apply for accreditation or renewal of accreditation with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. under PhilHealth Circular No. 0033, s. 2013.