Mandatory reporting of diseases and events of public health concern

Mandatory reporting of diseases and events of public health concern "I am a nurse working in one of the hospitals here in Quezon City. In connection with the coronavirus outbreak, our heads and doctors reiterated their instructions for us to accurately and immediately report to the management of the hospital the diseases and events of public health concern. Is there any law that sanctions the failure of medical personnel to immediately report diseases and events of public health concern? SharlynDear Sharlyn, To answer your question, we shall refer to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11332 (An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the “Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases”). Sections 1, 6, 9, and 10 of the said law provide:“Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”. xxx “Section 6. Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern. -The DoH (Department of Health), through the Epidemiology Bureau, shall issue the official list of institutionalized public health information system, disease surveillance and response systems for mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases and health events of public concern provided in Section 5 of this Act. xxx“Under this Act: xxx “(c) All public and private physicians, allied medical personnel, professional societies, hospitals, clinics, health facilities, laboratories, institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports, establishments, communities, other government agencies, and NGOs (nongovernment organizations) are required to accurately and immediately report notifiable diseases and health events of public health concern as issued by the DoH xxx“Section 9. Prohibited Acts. -The following shall be prohibited under this Act: xxx“(d) Non-cooperation of persons and entities that should report and/or respond to notifiable diseases or health events of public concern xxx“Section 10. Penalties. -Any person or entity found to have violated Section 9 of this Act shall be penalized with a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the proper court. “The Professional Regulation Commission shall have the authority to suspend or revoke the license to practice of any medical professional for any violation of this Act. xxx” (Emphases supplied)Applying the aforementioned law to your question, it shall be unlawful for public and private physicians, allied medical personnel, professional societies, hospitals, clinics, health facilities, laboratories, institutions, workplaces, schools, prisons, ports, airports, establishments, communities, other government agencies, and NGOs to not accurately and immediately report and/or respond to notifiable diseases and health events of public health concern as issued by the DoH. Any person or entity found to have violated this Act shall be penalized with a fine of not less than P20,000 but not more than P50,000 or imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Further, the Professional Regulation Commission shall have the authority to suspend or revoke the license to practice of any medical professional for any violation of this Act.We hope that we were able to answer your query. Please be reminded that this advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/