Surgical and Medical Missions (SMM) are activities where medical interventions and/or surgical services are provided in selected underserved areas and communities in the Philippines by a foreign individual or an organization, which may include Filipino nationals. The SMM may be conducted in partnership with a local partner in the Philippines, i.e. Local Government Unit (LGU), non-government organization (NGO), and church-based organizations (CBO). These activities are conducted as a professional humanitarian endeavour at no cost to the beneficiaries and not for political patronage.

 

GUIDELINES

Pursuant to DOH Administrative Order No. 179, series of 2001, Filipino and foreign medical professionals, non- government organizations and medical groups which intend to provide health care services in underserved areas where specialized services, ancillary procedures, surgical interventions and medicines are given at no cost to the patient, should adhere to the following guidelines:

 

Sponsors of medical and surgical missions are required to seek clearance from the Office of the Secretary of Health, through the Bureau of Internal Health Cooperation (BIHC), prior to implementation of such activities.

For monitoring purposes, the BIHC will notify the concerned Center for Health Development that a medical/ surgical mission will be conducted in their areas of responsibility.

A foreign medical or surgical mission can only be conducted in a given community with the expressed and written consent of the local government unit and the local medical society.

All medical and surgical procedures to be employed must conform to accepted local and international standards.

All medicines to be dispensed should have clearance from the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) as to safety and efficacy, and shall have an expiry date of no less than one (0) year. These medicines must have Certificates of Product Registration issued by the BFAD;

A referral system to follow-up all patients seen during the medical and surgical mission and those needing further evaluation and treatment must be established by the sponsor and collaborating organization(s).

All cases seen during the medical/ surgical mission must be documented and a summary report must be submitted to the Center for Health Development concerned within two (2) weeks after the mission with the following basic information:

a. Number and age of cases seen;
b. List of medicines dispensed
c. Diagnoses of patients seen;
d. Surgical procedures done; and
e. Referrals made to any other health facility, if any.

Foreign physicians and health-related professionals may only be allowed to practice their professions in the Philippines if they have secured a Special Temporary Permits from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).