Policies and Guidelines in the Conduct of Local and Foreign Traditional and Alternative Health Care (TAHC) Mission

July 1, 2016

DOH PITAHC CIRCULAR NO. 03, S. 2016

POLICIES AND GUIDELINES IN THE CONDUCT OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE (TAHC) MISSION

I. Rationale

Medical and Surgical Missions (MSM) are usually conducted by the Department of Health (DOH), the Local Government Units (LGUs), other government agencies, and local and foreign non-government organizations to extend medical and surgical health care services to Filipinos in underserved areas as per DOH Administrative Order No. 179 s. 2001 dated 30 January 2001. These medical and surgical missions are undertaken as professional endeavor and not as medium for political patronage.

The Circular is being issued to prescribe standards and implementation mechanisms in the conduct of TAHC missions, to distinguish this from the usual medical missions which utilize the western, regular or conventional medicine. The objectives of the Guidelines are as follows:

1. To facilitate the implementation of TAHC missions;

2. To ensure that Filipinos receive continuous quality health care through TAHC services;

3. To ensure proper linkages between national and local government agencies and non-government organizations in the conduct of TAHC missions; and

4. To establish and institutionalize the process of conducting local and foreign TAHC missions.

II. Definition of Terms

1. TAHC Mission — a package of health care services composed of any of the TAHC practices such as but not limited to acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy/homotoxicology, naturopathy, tuina massage, hilot, and the like usually provided at no cost to the indigents or poor segments of the Philippine society

a. Local TAHC mission involves a team of TAHC service providers based in the country

b. Foreign TAHC mission involves a team which includes TAHC service providers based or practicing their profession in other countries

2. Traditional and Alternative Health Care (TAHC) Organization — a group of persons organized for some specific purpose geared towards the development and promotion of traditional and alternative health care products, services, and technologies and their integration into the national health care delivery system. The scope or coverage of the organizations can be national, local, or community-based.

III. Implementing Guidelines

A. General Guidelines

1. Any TAHC organization that sponsors or initiates a TAHC mission is required to seek clearance from PITAHC, both for local and foreign TAHC missions.

2. The sponsoring TAHC organization should apply for accreditation to PITAHC. (Refer to the Guidelines on the National Accreditation of TAHC Organizations)

3. The PITAHC shall inform the DOH through the Bureau of Local Health Development (BLHD) for local TAHC missions or the Bureau of International Health Cooperation (BIHC) for foreign TAHC missions conducted. SDAaTC

4. The PITAHC shall notify the concerned DOH Regional Health Offices, for the TAHC missions that will be conducted in their respective areas of responsibility for monitoring purposes.

5. The sponsoring TAHC organization shall inform and secure written consent from the host LGU and collaborating organization and health facilities concerned and conduct community preparation prior to the conduct of the TAHC mission. Likewise, a foreign TAHC mission can only be conducted in a given locality with the expressed and written consent of the local TAHC counterpart organization.

6. The sponsor and collaborating organization shall comply with all clearances and permits required by the Philippine Government prior to the conduct of the TAHC mission.

7. All medicines and/or food supplements to be dispensed should have clearance from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) as to safety and efficacy and shall have an expiry date of no less than six (6) months. These must have Certificates of Product Registration (CPR) issued by the FDA.

8. All equipment must conform to the standards and be cleared by the DOH through the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT).

9. A referral system to follow up all patients seen during the TAHC mission and those needing further evaluation and treatment must be established by the sponsoring TAHC and collaborating organization.

10. All cases seen during the TAHC mission must be documented and a summary report submitted to PITAHC, copy furnished the concerned DOH Regional Health Office within two (2) weeks after the TAHC mission. The report should include the following information:

a. Number, sex and age distribution of cases seen

b. Frequency distribution of diseases seen

c. List of medicines or food supplements distributed

d. Endorsements to the necessary health facilities for follow-up, further evaluation and management.

B. Requirements for PITAHC Clearance for All TAHC Missions in All Government and Private Health Facilities

1. All application letters for clearance of TAHC Mission shall state the following information:

a. Name of hospital or health facility or venue and its complete address

b. Type of TAHC Mission (specific TAHC modalities to be used)

c. Duration of the TAHC mission and inclusive dates

2. Application letter with the necessary documents should be received by PITAHC at least 2 months prior to the actual conduct of the TAHC mission.

C. Guidelines for Granting Permits to Foreign TAHC Practitioners conducting TAHC Mission sponsored by Local and/or Private Organization

1. A legally binding contract must be entered into and between the foreign TAHC practitioner and the local counterpart;

2. All foreign nationals who will participate in a TAHC mission must secure a Certificate of Endorsement from PITAHC accredited TAHC organization. The sponsoring TAHC organization shall submit duly authenticated documents supporting the credentials of the foreign nationals participating in the TAHC mission as follows:

a. Current valid license to practice his or her TAHC profession in his or her country of origin;

b. A letter of good standing from the country or State of prior licensure or certification specifying the number of years of licensure/certification in his/her country of origin; acEHCD

c. Letter or Certification of endorsement from the sponsoring or PITAHC-accredited TAHC organization;

d. Curriculum vitae of the members of the TAHC mission team duly authenticated by the concerned Philippine Embassy consulate; and

e. A copy of the passport and 2 copies of passport size pictures taken not more than 6 months before the filing of the application.

3. The conduct of a TAHC mission to be participated in by foreign nationals shall be under the supervision of a certified Filipino TAHC practitioner. In the case of acupuncture, the Filipino TAHC practitioner must be a PITAHC Certified Medical Acupuncturist (CMA) or a PITAHC-Certified Acupuncturist (CA).

All issuances inconsistent with the provisions of the Guidelines are hereby suspended or amended accordingly. The amendment to the Guidelines shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

(SGD.) ISIDRO C. SIA, MDPITAHC Director-General

 

Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care

Department of Health

TAHC Mission Form I

APPLICATION FORM FOR CONDUCT OF TAHC MISSION

______________(Date)

THE DIRECTOR GENERALPhilippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC)East Avenue Medical Center Compound, Matapang StreetBarangay Central, Quezon City

Sir:

In support of the PITAHC's thrust to improve the quality and delivery of health care services through the development and provision of quality, safe, effective, and affordable traditional and alternative health care products, services and technologies for better health, the undersigned from ____________________________________ (Name of Organization), whose office or business address is located at _____________________________________ (Address of Organization) hereby submits duly accomplished form and required documents in connection with the conduct of TAHC mission on ________________ (Date of Activity) at ___________________________________________________________ (Place/venue).

Enclosed are the following duly certified/authenticated requirements: EcTCAD

 

(Printed Name and Signature)

__________________________

Date of Receipt: __________

 

Checklist of Requirements:

For TAHC Missions with Filipino TAHC Practitioners only

( ) Accomplished TAHC Mission Form I

( ) Certificate of Endorsement from PITAHC Accredited TAHC Organization

( ) List of Participating PITAHC-certified TAHC practitioners

For TAHC Missions with Foreign TAHC Practitioners

( ) Accomplished TAHC Mission Form I

( ) Certificate of Endorsement from PITAHC Accredited TAHC Organization

( ) Current/valid license to practice their TAHC profession in their originating country

( ) Letter of good standing from the originating country of prior licensure or certification, specifying the number of years of practice

( ) Copy of the passport

( ) 2 copies of passport size pictures taken not more than 6 months before the filing of the application

( ) Curriculum vitae of the members of the TAHC mission team duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/consulate with jurisdiction

( ) List of participating practitioners

NOTE: All cases seen during the TAHC mission must be documented and a summary report submitted to PITAHC, copy furnished the concerned DOH Regional Health Office within two (2) weeks after the TAHC mission. The report should include the following information:

a. Number, sex and age distribution of cases seen

b. Frequency distribution of diseases seen

c. List of medicines or food supplements distributed

d. Endorsements to the necessary health facilities for follow-up, further evaluation and management.