A leader of the House of Representatives has proposed to modernize the country’s practice of Medical Technology to ensure its continued growth and development and the maintenance of high international standards of practice.
Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. made his proposal through House Bill 1693 or the proposed “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 2018.”
Villafuerte filed HB 1693 as he seeks to overhaul Republic Act 5527, or the “Medical Technology Act of 1969,” which has not been updated for 50 years.
In his explanatory note, Villafuerte recognized the crucial role of medical technologists in society saying that “While they may not be doctors, medical technologists perform critical and sensitive functions in our health facilities. They also directly interact with patients and handle delicate specimens. Hence, the compelling need to ensure that they shall always ethically perform their duties to the best of their abilities—or face penal sanctions.”
The measure declares that the government acknowledges the importance of Medical Technology in nation-building and development through the portals of healthcare, education, and research.
It is then the mandate of the State to promote, regulate and protect the professional practice of Medical Technology in the country and shall ensure its continued growth and development, and the maintenance of high international standards of practice.
“National healthcare is one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s priority concerns. The President repeatedly stressed the need to improve professional competence in health facilities, especially public ones. We believe that medical technology is only one of the key branches of medical practice in our jurisdiction that requires serious examination and modernization,” said Villafuerte.
The bill provides for the establishment of a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology under the Professional Regulation Commission, which shall undertake the following functions: a) administer and implement the provisions of the Act; b) regulate the practice of the profession; c) determine and prepare the questions for the licensure exam; d) administer oaths; e) issue, suspend or revoke certificates and permits; f) investigate violations of the Act; g) draft the implementing rules and regulations of the Act; h) prescribe the qualification and training of medical technologists; (i) formulate and recommend refresher courses for applicants who failed the board exam; and j) promulgate the Code of Ethics and the Code of Professional Standards for the Practice of Medical Technology, among others.
The Board, in coordination with accredited professional organizations and appropriate agencies, shall also initiate, undertake and conduct studies on health as well as human resources production, utilization or deployment, and development.
In addition, there shall also be a Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education under the Commission on Higher Education—Office of Programs and Standards.