Duterte signs law strengthening surveillance, reporting of diseases

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law seeking to protect the people from public health threats through efficient and effective surveillance of notifiable diseases.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11332 on April 26, a copy of which was released by Malacañang on Tuesday.

Under the law, the epidemiology bureau under the Department of Health (DOH) must regularly update and issue a list of nationally notifiable diseases and health events of public health concern.

The selection and deletion of diseases and health events of public health concern will be based on the criteria established by the department.

The law defines notifiable disease as a "disease that by legal requirements, must be reported to the public health authorities."

Covered by the law are emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, diseases for elimination and eradication, epidemics, and health events including chemical, radio-nuclear and environmental agents of public health concern.

The DOH and its local counterparts must implement the mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases and health events of public health concern.

The law calls for the establishment and maintainance of functional disease surveillance and response systems, which include measures for data security and confidentiality and procedures and provision to ensure safety of personnel conducting disease surveillance and response activities.

The Secretary of Health has the authority to declare epidemics of national and/or international concerns except when the same threatens national security, in which case the President shall declare a state of public health emergency and mobilize governmental and non-governmental agencies to respond to the threat.

Provincial, city or municipal health offices may only declare a disease outbreak within their respective localities provided that the declaration is supported by sufficient scientific evidence based on disease surveillance date, epidemiologic investigation, environmental investigation and laboratory investigation.

Violations such as unauthorized disclosure of patient's medical condition or treatment, tampering of records and non-cooperation of persons and entities that should report the notifiable diseases carry a penalty of 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 fine and imprisonment.

The Professional Regulation Commission shall have the mandate to suspend or revoke the license to practice of any medical profession for any violation of the law while the Civil Service Commission shall have the authority to suspend or revoke the civil service eligibility to practice of any medical professional. —NB, GMA News